The budding bromance between authoritarianism and tech
When he started as a Post contributing columnist in the fall of 2017, Jamal Khashoggi was trying, constructively, to pierce the futuristic illusions about Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman was selling to the world.
MBS, as the Saudi crown prince is known, was pushing a gleaming vision of a cutting-edge Saudi Arabia, one with gaggles of robots, cities like something out of science fiction and tech investment galore. He was also ordering mass arrests across civil society, showing that his Saudi Arabia — present and future — would not tolerate dissent, activism or, in particular, vocal women.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Venezuela's opposition leader: Democratic transition would unlock billions in investment
Unveiling a sweeping reconstruction plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela, opposition leader María Corina Machado told a group of international allies, investors, and civil society partners that the country stands on the brink of historic change — and called on the world to support its transition from dictatorship to democracy. 'This is very exciting,' Machado said during a video conference organized in New York by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas. 'The potential is huge, not just for the Venezuelan people, but for democratic governments across the hemisphere and investors who understand what's possible once we reach a democratic government.' Widely seen as the face of Venezuela's opposition, Machado delivered her remarks from an undisclosed location in the country. She went into hiding following the contested presidential election in July, amid a sweeping crackdown by the Nicolás Maduro regime that has led to more than 2,000 arrests of dissidents and opposition figures. Though the regime declared Maduro the winner, polls show that nine out of ten Venezuelans believe opposition candidate Edmundo González won the election by a 2-to-1 margin. Many countries, including the United States, have publicly rejected the official results, describing the election as fraudulent. Machado, a close ally and political mentor to González, said the Maduro regime is now more isolated than ever, noting diminishing support from traditional allies like Russia, Iran, and Syria. China, she added, has grown increasingly frustrated after being misled and financially harmed by the regime. 'China wants its debts repaid,' she said. 'But they're not taking new risks in Venezuela. They're investing in Guyana instead.' Machado also pointed to growing fractures within Venezuela's military and ruling elite. 'Nobody wants to go down with a sinking ship,' she said. 'And that's exactly what Maduro's regime is.' She described Maduro not merely as an autocrat, but as the head of a transnational criminal organization. As long as he remains in power, she warned, no meaningful economic or political progress is possible. 'Companies operating in Venezuela today are forced to partner with a criminal regime that offers no transparency, no legal protections, and no real opportunities,' Machado said. 'There is no way forward under Maduro.' Yet her message was ultimately one of hope framed around what she called a 'win-win' future: the collapse of a dictatorship, the rebirth of a nation, and a unique opportunity for shared prosperity across the Americas. Machado spoke of a country transformed by hardship. After years of repression, economic collapse, and mass migration, she said Venezuelans are now united not by ideology, but by shared values. 'There is no other society in the world today as united as the Venezuelan people,' she said. 'We've transcended religious, racial, and class divides. What unites us now are dignity, work, family, and freedom.' Rather than food or financial aid, she said, Venezuelans are asking for just three things: trust, dignity, and the chance to work. 'And that's what we are going to offer.' She also addressed the Venezuelan diaspora directly, calling them essential to the nation's reconstruction. 'Our diaspora is extraordinary,' she said. 'They've suffered, they've learned, they've built global networks—and they are desperate to come home.' Education, she added, will be central to the country's revival. 'It's my passion and my obsession,' she said. 'And soon, we will see our schools flourish again.' Machado praised recent U.S. sanctions — including the revocation of oil licenses — as vital in tightening the financial noose on Maduro's inner circle. She urged further action to cut off the regime's illicit income streams, including drug trafficking and gold smuggling. Addressing international investors and energy companies, Machado promised a new Venezuela grounded in the rule of law and open to serious, long-term partnerships. 'We want you here,' she said. 'Not producing a couple hundred thousand barrels a day—but millions. Venezuela will become the energy hub and the most reliable supplier in the hemisphere.' She pledged a transparent debt restructuring process and a return to international financial markets. 'Creditors know they won't be paid under Maduro,' she said. 'We will.' Her message was clear: A post-Maduro Venezuela is not only a moral cause—it is a historic economic opportunity. In closing, Machado returned to the theme of unity and the resilience of the Venezuelan people. 'We are a different society now,' she said. 'We've endured the worst—families torn apart, loved ones disappeared. But we've learned. We value freedom, justice, and dignity more than ever before.' 'This is the moment to act,' she added. 'We are ready to rebuild. We want to bring our children home. And we want to do it with you.'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
UK ministers confident post-Brexit trade friction will be eased by deal
UK Government ministers have expressed confidence that post-Brexit trade friction between Northern Ireland and Great Britain will be eased by a deal with the EU. The movement of trade was one of the main discussions at the first meeting of the East-West Council to take place in Northern Ireland on Thursday, which was also attended by members of Intertrade UK. Earlier this month the UK Government said border checks on fruit and vegetables imported from the EU will be scrapped, to ease trade, ahead of its new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU. Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Northern Ireland Office minister Fleur Anderson and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden held discussions with First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly at the Custom House in Belfast on Thursday. Speaking after the meeting, Mr McFadden said the main topics were ensuring smooth trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the new Connect Fund to support community groups. He said he believed the recent agreement between the UK and EU will 'go a long way' to reducing friction and restoring the free flow of trade. Mr Benn also expressed confidence the flow of trade will be smoothed. 'It comes after a very busy period with the negotiation of the new relationship with the European Union, and one of the issues we discussed was the beneficial impact an SPS deal will have on the flow of the agrifood and plant products from GB to Northern Ireland,' he said. He added: 'The new Government was elected in July, we came in and said we want to build a closer, better relationship with the EU and you saw the result of that in the agreement that was reached at the summit a few weeks ago. 'And for Northern Ireland the single most important part of that agreement was to work together to get an SPS agreement in place because that would deal with a lot of the things that people are having to cope with at the moment in respect of agri food products and plants moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. 'I hope that will give businesses real hope for the future, and we want to get on and put that new SPS scheme in place as quickly as possible.' Meanwhile Ms Anderson announced the Connect Fund, which will provide awards from a funding pot of up to £1 million to support groups working in sectors which directly affect Northern Ireland communities. It will be open to groups seeking to strengthening east-west connections, with bids are invited for between £300 and £50,000. Ms Anderson said it will 'support better connections between community groups and individuals of all ages between Northern Ireland and Great Britain'.'I ran a community centre before I was an MP and so I know the value that this funding will bring,' she said. 'I urge local community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland to apply to take part in this great opportunity, and look forward to the positive changes which this fund will bring to communities in the coming years.'
Axios
5 hours ago
- Axios
Wright pledges to back DOE loan office for nuclear
Energy Secretary Chris Wright told lawmakers on Tuesday he supports keeping the Loan Programs Office open for business for nuclear power. Why it matters: The House GOP's reconciliation budget proposes to eliminate unused IRA loan funding, though the DOE's budget proposal includes funding to keep the loan office open. "I do think it's a helpful tool to launch nuclear energy, which is why we're requesting money to do just that," Wright told the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Wright also told an audience on Monday that he's working with Congress to maintain a level of funding for LPO for transmission projects. What they're saying: Rep. Bob Latta, chair of E&C's energy subcommittee, agreed with Wright's assessment of LPO. "This level of government subsidy is irresponsible and unsustainable, focused on misguided priorities and was often done to the detriment of free markets and private enterprise," Latta said. Between the lines: Wright's vision for LPO will likely be diminished compared with the Biden administration's dramatic expansion. In fact, former President Biden's flurry of post-Election Day loan approvals are coming under scrutiny, Wright said. The agency's review of the DOE awards had uncovered "deeply concerning" decisions that were made "without proper due diligence," Wright said. Friction point: Some Democrats pressed Wright to tell Republicans to pull back proposed cuts in the reconciliation bill. "It looks like you and I agree on at least one issue, and that is that nuclear energy is worth investing in and that the Loan Programs Office has an important role to play," E&C ranking Democrat Frank Pallone said. Pallone cited South Carolina's Republican Gov. Henry McMaster's letter to lawmakers that the DOE loan authority and nuclear tax credits are essential to restarting a nuclear plant there. What's next: Speaker Mike Johnson and House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole met with the subcommittee chairs last week about spending priorities.
