Sayyid Shihab arrives in Iraq for Arab Summit
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Times of Oman
23-07-2025
- Times of Oman
At HM's behest, Sayyid Shihab receives Tunisian and Lebanese Ambassadors
Muscat: At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs receives, separately, in his office at Al Murtafa'a Camp on Wednesday Azzedine el Tayse, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia and Albert Samaha, Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic to bid them farewell at the end of their tours of duty. HH Sayyid Shihab expressed his appreciation to the ambassadors for their efforts in strengthening bilateral relations between Oman and their respective countries. He wished them success in their future endeavors and for their countries' peoples further progress and prosperity. For their part, the ambassadors expressed their profound thanks to His Majesty the Sultan, for the support extended to them during their tenure in Oman, which enabled them to carry out their duties. They wished His Majesty continued good health and a long life, and for Oman continued progress and prosperity under His Majesty's wise leadership.
Observer
02-07-2025
- Observer
Conflict communication: Then and now
As the digital landscape develops, the confluence between social media and conflict becomes an integral part of the narrative. A myriad of stories, perceptions, fake information, and imagery can ignite or amplify tensions. Artificial intelligence and social media have the potential to polarise or create scenarios with real-world implications. In times of war and conflict, government officials and influential figures address the public with messages in support of one side. Typically, it employs hostile narratives, propaganda, and disinformation for the convenient simplification of complex scenarios. This communication strategy is fertile ground for spreading deception and misinformation, but also for rallying support. In the past, the mainstream media aligned with the countries' governments, and their policies to play the drums for 'saving the world' from dictators and armaments; now, however, there is a fragmented media landscape in which people rely on social media such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for information or to ally with peers who share similar ideologies. Then-prime minister Tony Blair led the United Kingdom to war in Iraq in 2003 based on 'unquestionable intelligence' regarding weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), and the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. The goals of the war for the United States were to free the Iraqi people, remove WMDs from the country, and stop Saddam Hussein from supporting terrorism. The British newspapers on Fleet Street championed Tony Blair's 'journey' to Baghdad. Years later, the former prime minister apologised for the use of 'wrong intelligence' in the run-up to the war. The intelligence report was presented as fact, rather than information that may not be accurate. The media didn't play the drums as enthusiastically as it did pre-war. There are journalistic lessons yet to be learned. Two decades later, the ghosts of the Iraq War still haunt the region. The 'mission accomplished' staged by the President of the United States, George W. Bush, has barely materialised. Media organisations have failed and continue to fail in addressing the numerous military interventions in the region. The trumpets are still blowing. The mainstream media often offers one-sided, biased coverage. There are political barriers and ideological challenges; also, there is usually a gap in examining the political and historical context of the conflict. In today's digital landscape, people increasingly turn away from mainstream media for information. A vast array of channels is available, each offering either accurate information or potentially harmful misinformation. While social platforms facilitate quicker and decentralised communication, they also contribute to societal division. Social media is increasingly influencing conflict and contentious politics. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza exemplifies how wars are now intertwined with social media. From images depicting military action to narratives crafted by various participants, the impact is significant. Yet, while offering alternative narratives and perspectives, social platforms are filling the gaps and addressing the vacuums in mainstream media coverage. The negative side is that, at the core of war rhetoric, there is a chaotic, senseless, and unreliable flow of information. Recent media studies suggest a staggering amount of artificial intelligence-generated misinformation online, as a result of the Israel-Iran war. According to a BBC article, the writers indicate that outdated clips and AI-generated content are being shared as real events, with X users turning to the platform's AI chatbot-Grok to establish the posts' veracity. In some cases, Grok asserted that the AI videos were authentic. Social media news, especially about war, can mislead and give a false sense of understanding. The global political landscape and interest relations have become more complex. Even though social media merely offers snippets of selective information, it has added a new dimension to how conflict plays out both online and on the ground.
Observer
24-06-2025
- Observer
Qatar slams Iran attack on US base
DOHA: Explosions could be heard over Doha on Monday, shortly after Qatar, which hosts the biggest US base in the Middle East, suspended air traffic as Iran threatened retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear sites. Qatar's government has offered its "strong condemnation" of the attack on the Al Udeid Air Base. Oman expressed solidarity with Qatar while condemning the ongoing regional escalation, triggered by Israel's unlawful missile strike on Iran. An official statement of the Foreign Ministry said the latest Iranian missile strike targeting sovereign sites in Qatar is regarded by Oman as an unacceptable and condemned act, constituting a violation of the sovereignty of a brotherly GCC state. The act contradicts the principles of good neighbourliness and raises the risk of expanding a conflict that brings only further destruction and instability, threatening the security and safety of peoples across the region. It further called for an immediate halt to all military and missile operations, urging peaceful negotiations, and adherence to international law as the means to resolve the conflict and achieve a just settlement through legitimate avenues. "We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations charter," a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X. He says Qatar's air defence systems "successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles" and the base had been evacuated earlier. Qatar, which lies 190 km south of Iran across the Gulf, is home to the United States' largest military base in the region, Al Udeid, which hosts the regional headquarters of the Pentagon's Central Command. Iran coordinated the attacks on the American air base in Qatar with Qatari officials and gave advanced notice that attacks were coming to minimise casualties, according to three Iranian officials familiar with the plans. The officials said Iran symbolically needed to strike back at the US but at the same time carry it out in a way that allowed all sides an exit ramp; they described it as a similar strategy to 2020 when Iran gave Iraq heads up before firing ballistic missiles an American base in Iraq following the assassination of its top general. United Arab Emirates airspace is currently closed based on flight paths and air traffic control audio, according to a post by FlightRadar on X on Monday. Kuwait and Bahrain also suspended air traffic temporarily on Monday. Iran has also attacked Iraq in retaliation for the bombing of its nuclear facilities, according to the Iranian state news agency IRNA. It was initially unclear which sites were targeted in Iraq. However, Iraqi media reported that a state of maximum alert was declared and shelter orders issued at the Ain Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq. An Israeli representative told media outlets that Iran had fired a total of 10 missiles at US targets in Qatar on Monday. Shortly before the attacks in Qatar and Iraq were confirmed, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X: "We did not start the war nor wanted it but we will not leave the aggression against the great Iran unanswered." — Agencies
