Syria and The Middle East

The UAE's Smart City is a block-chain-powered decentralized learning platform that aims to increase the percentage of digitally skilled talent in the UAE to 10 percent by 2020. The Smart City plans to put Dubai 10 years more advanced than other cities. The program gives the community the correct tools to build their digital skills. In all, they want to build Dubai's digital presence. Dr Aisha bint Butti bin Bishr, director general of Smart Dubai Office said "Smart City University will enable individuals not only to build their own educational paths, but also benefit from and get certification for skills acquired through non-traditional learning channels such as work projects, reading materials, conferences, workshops and online courses." The project provides users with a wide variety of digital certifications in different sectors including AI and internet of things technologies in the energy field.

Uber has become a household name across the United States, but their international business model has been inconsistent as of lately. In a recent interview with CNBC, Uber's COO Barny Harford explained that they are done taking the back seat to domestic companies, especially in both the Middle East and North Africa. These are now being viewed as primary markets for them to capitalize and grow Uber to become the name brand ride-hailing company. In the past Uber has been consistently selling out to domestic companies like Grab in Singapore for a 27.5 percent stake in their company as well as Didi Chuxing a Chinese company for a reported 5.89 percent stake in the company. Uber's main competitor in the Middle Eastern market is Careem, they already operate in 13 countries and over 90 cities. This is clearly not a mom and pop business, they know what they are doing and I think with the current state of conflict and recent history of Western intervention in this region it will be diff

Iran's Chilling Message to Trump It is no secret that Trump has not made many friends in the Middle East since taking office. A lot of the disagreements have to deal with Trumps decision to leave the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is  an international pact between Iran, the UK, US, Russia, France, China, and Germany agreed upon in 2015, it aims to limit Tehran’s nuclear arsenal. Trump thinks that the current sanctions are not tough enough and wants to change them. General  Mohammed Bagheri  says that the United States is too concerned  about the Middle East and should worry about our own issues.  Mohammed Bagheri  also thinks that the U.S. has chosen sides on who they support, saying that the U.S. has been taking Saudi Arabia's side and have also been exporting weapons into the Middle East to start more conflicts. This issue is extremely  hostile at this time as Iran vows to never bow to the pressure of the United States.

With the previous success of theme parks, Abu Dhabi is opening up the first ever Warner Bros. theme park. Abu Dhabi already attracts lots of visitors with the beautiful views, different museums, the 3 billion dollar hotel, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and so much more. With the opening of the new theme park, Abu Dhabi is looking to double the number of visitors. The theme park is around 1.65 million square feet and will have 29 different rides and various eating and shopping places. It will also feature 6 zones: DC's Metropolis, Gotham City, Warner Bros, and more. The theme park totals to about 1 billion dollars. I know that I would definitely visit Abu Dhabi if I had the money and time. For those of you that might be around the area, the theme park is planned to open July, 25 2018. https://www.google.com/search?q=abu+dhabi&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjapfK7tMTaAhUF2oMKHe53BOYQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1600&bih=794#imgrc=J9YkiRG_JjY11M:

Saudi Arabia emerged today (April 12th, 2018) with their premiere of a women only fashion week. No outside cameras are allowed in the area and only women will be walking down the catwalk. This is a big deal considering that this country is very conservative. The country is known for the huge gender gap which leaves the men with the ability to make most choices. The models will walk down the runway wearing creations by Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, and many other designs by Middle Eastern entrepreneurs. The show closes a Russian Ballet for a women's only audience on Saturday April 14th. They are trying to bring more of the fashion industry to a whole new level. There is already another Saudi Arabian Fashion Week planned to take place in October of this year. https://dunyanews.tv/en/Entertainment/434843-Saudi-Arabia-hosts-its-first-Arab-Fashion-Week

The current Syrian Civil War is raging with no cease in sight. Recent reports and video of the Syrian government using chemical weapons in heavily populated civilian areas near Damascus have taken over the media. The Syrian people continue their pleas to the international community for support and a cease of senseless killing of innocent men, women, and children. Although these events are clear violations of human rights, this is not the only major conflict that is escalating in Middle East. Iran and Israel have been conducting a sort of "shadow war" as Iran has been amassing its military forces in light of the Syrian conflict and Israel has been taking counter measure. The most recent act that Israeli officials declines to confirm or deny involvement is a missile strike on a military airbase backed by Iran. A few missiles were countered but multiple hit the base and four Iranian military advisers were killed. This strike is one that has significance to the entire region, it