Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • How Saudi Arabia is redrawing the map of the future with fibre-optic cables

    How Saudi Arabia is redrawing the map of the future with fibre-optic cables

    The global digital infrastructure faces a monumental shift as Saudi Arabia emerges as a formidable challenger to Egypt’s long-standing dominance in intercontinental internet connectivity. For decades, Egypt has controlled what experts describe as the ‘digital Suez Canal’—a critical bottleneck where an estimated 17-30% of worldwide internet traffic traverses through the Red Sea corridor linking Europe to Asia.

    This strategic advantage enabled state-owned Telecom Egypt to maintain what industry analysts characterize as a monopolistic pricing structure, charging operators equivalent fees for transiting Egyptian territory as other providers charge for the substantially longer Singapore-Mediterranean route. Paul Brodsky, senior analyst at TeleGeography, notes that Egypt has represented ‘a single point of failure for cables running between Europe and Asia, the Middle East and East Africa’—the ‘white whale of the subsea cable business’ that operators have long sought to circumvent.

    The geopolitical landscape began shifting dramatically with the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel, UAE, and Bahrain. This diplomatic breakthrough catalyzed ambitious infrastructure projects designed to bypass Egyptian territory. Google’s $400 million Blue-Raman project exemplifies this trend, utilizing a segmented cable system connecting Europe to Israel, then crossing terrestrially to Jordan before linking to Saudi Arabia. The Raman component will land at Duba, Saudi Arabia—just 25km from the $500 billion Neom megaproject—before extending to Aqaba, Jordan.

    Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy aggressively pursues regional digital hub status. The state-owned Saudi Telecom Company has committed $1 billion to develop the MENA Hub, while simultaneously advancing the Saudi Vision Cable along the kingdom’s western coastline. According to TeleGeography data, six new cables will land in Saudi Arabia within three years, including Meta’s massive 45,000-km 2Africa cable connecting Jeddah, Yanbu, and Duba.

    The most revolutionary development comes from privately-developed Trans Europe Asia System (TEAS), which proposes a predominantly terrestrial route across Saudi Arabia. This unprecedented approach would completely avoid the Red Sea, though industry experts note significant technical challenges regarding desert installation and maintenance requirements. Julian Rawle, a submarine fiber-optic consultant, observes that while the route through sparsely populated desert along GCC Interconnection Authority rights-of-way reduces risks, the project faces substantial implementation hurdles.

    Market analysts suggest that Saudi Arabia must avoid Egypt’s pitfalls by maintaining competitive pricing and investing in hub infrastructure rather than merely functioning as a conduit. The emerging competition between UAE and Saudi Arabia for regional digital supremacy may ultimately benefit operators through market-driven pricing and enhanced network resilience across East-West connections.

  • Iraq war: Twenty years after ‘shock and awe’, Mosul residents still picking up the pieces

    Iraq war: Twenty years after ‘shock and awe’, Mosul residents still picking up the pieces

    Two decades ago, on March 20, 2003, the United States and its allies launched a devastating military campaign against Iraq, marking the beginning of a conflict that would reshape the nation’s destiny. The invasion, initiated under the pretext of eliminating weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) allegedly harbored by Saddam Hussein, quickly escalated into a full-scale war. The ‘shock and awe’ strategy saw hundreds of missiles rain down on Baghdad, leaving the city in ruins and its citizens in chaos. Despite the swift overthrow of Saddam’s regime, the invasion unleashed a cascade of unintended consequences that continue to haunt Iraq today. The absence of WMDs, later confirmed, raised questions about the legitimacy of the war, while the power vacuum left in its wake fueled sectarian violence, insurgencies, and the rise of extremist groups like the Islamic State (IS). The invasion’s aftermath has been marked by widespread destruction, displacement, and a profound sense of loss among Iraqis. Cities like Mosul, once vibrant cultural hubs, remain scarred by years of conflict. The Christian community, which once thrived in Iraq, has dwindled significantly, with many fleeing persecution. Despite the fall of IS, the road to recovery remains fraught with challenges, as Iraqis grapple with the enduring legacy of a war that promised liberation but delivered devastation.

  • London hospital removed Gaza children’s artwork following legal threat

    London hospital removed Gaza children’s artwork following legal threat

    A London healthcare institution has become the center of an international cultural dispute after removing artwork created by Palestinian schoolchildren from Gaza following legal pressure from a pro-Israel advocacy organization. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital eliminated the “Crossing Borders – A Festival Of Plates” exhibition from its children’s outpatient department after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) threatened legal action against the hospital trust.

    The artwork, displayed since 2012, featured ceramic plates transferring designs by Palestinian students depicting scenes of daily life in Gaza, including fishing, olive harvesting, and traditional baking. The hospital trust confirmed the removal resulted from UKLFI’s letter alleging that certain elements caused offense to some Jewish patients who felt “vulnerable and victimized.”

    Particular controversy centered on three plates featuring the Palestinian flag, including one positioned atop a structure resembling an Israeli military watchtower and another flying near the Dome of the Rock mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. UKLFI argued these representations implied Jewish holy sites would fall under Palestinian sovereignty, claiming this constituted religious offense.

    The artwork originated from an educational partnership between Chelsea Community Hospital School—which serves medically vulnerable children—and UNRWA-operated schools in Gaza. Students with special needs had transferred the Palestinian children’s designs onto plates as part of cultural exchange programs that previously earned the hospital school the British Council’s International School Award.

    Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Hussam Zomlot condemned the removal as “racist and discriminatory bullying,” demanding reinstatement of the exhibition. He emphasized that East Jerusalem remains occupied Palestinian territory under international law.

    The hospital trust expressed regret that the artwork’s removal offended some communities while its content offended others, stating they would review next steps in consultation with relevant parties while considering their obligations under the Equalities Act 2010.

  • Iranian press review: Venezuela part of ‘Axis of Resistance’, says Maduro

    Iranian press review: Venezuela part of ‘Axis of Resistance’, says Maduro

    Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has positioned his nation as a key member of the international ‘Axis of Resistance’ during his official visit to Tehran, calling for a unified front against United States and Israeli influence worldwide. The Iranian-coined term traditionally describes Shia forces opposing American and Israeli interests in the Middle East, but Maduro expanded its scope to encompass global anti-colonial movements.

    Addressing audiences in the Iranian capital, Maduro declared that resistance movements now operate across Western Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He framed this alliance as a struggle against neoliberalism, racism, and multiple forms of colonialism—including political, economic, cultural, and cyber domains. The Venezuelan leader emphasized the movement’s goal of decolonizing minds and resisting imperial hegemony.

    The visit yielded significant bilateral agreements, including a 20-year cooperation roadmap between Iran and Venezuela. Maduro recalled previous security collaboration, revealing that Iranian experts had assisted in repairing Venezuela’s electricity infrastructure following cyber-attacks, a effort coordinated after his meeting with the late IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani.

    Meanwhile, Iran continues to expand its international partnerships amid ongoing sanctions. Russian-Iranian relations have deepened since the Ukraine conflict began, with plans for a joint trade center (Nova-Pars) and enhanced cooperation in energy, manufacturing, and oil/gas equipment. A new Caspian Sea transportation corridor will connect Russia to the Persian Gulf, complemented by unprecedented shipbuilding knowledge transfers and parts manufacturing agreements.

    Domestically, Iran faces mounting challenges. President Ebrahim Raisi’s directive to manufacture 72-seat aircraft—reportedly for religious symbolism—has drawn widespread public mockery given Iran’s aging fleet and aviation safety record. Critics highlight the administration’s previous unfulfilled promises regarding inflation control and COVID-19 vaccines.

    Additionally, Iran’s healthcare system confronts a severe physician shortage despite medical school graduations. Approximately 20,000 trained doctors have abandoned clinical practice for higher-paying sectors including real estate, cryptocurrency trading, and beauty clinics, exacerbating the nation’s medical care crisis.