Return to Transcripts main page
Connect the World
Trump Touts U.S. Success in War at Dinner for King Charles; Iran Has Demanded U.S. Lift Blockade of Iranian Ports; U.S. Lawmakers to Grill Military Officials on Proposed Budget; At Least Eight Killed in Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Tuesday; Chair Powell Facing Choice to Stay on Board After Term Ends. Aired 9-9:45a ET
Aired April 29, 2026 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, the U.S. President says King Charles is on his side when it comes to Iran. That and the latest on
what Donald Trump has had to say to Tehran is coming up. It is 09:00 a.m. in Washington. It is 05:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi.
I'm Becky Anderson from our Middle East programming headquarters. You are watching "Connect the World". The stock market in New York opens about 30
minutes from now. The indices, as they stand at present, are pretty mixed, investors waiting on the Fed's rate decision, amongst other things, will
have revised peace proposal from Iran is on the way.
That's the word from mediators in Pakistan who expect to receive that plan in the coming days after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he'd
rejected an earlier version. Sources say negotiations are slow going, because of the difficulty in communicating with the Supreme Leader Mojtaba
Khamenei, whose location is being kept secret.
President Trump has said he's not sure who's in charge in Iran. The president veering into the war on Tuesday when he hosted Britain's King
Charles, saying the king agrees with what he has called his main reason for starting the war. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: And we're doing very well. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we're
never going to let that opponent ever. Charles agrees with me even more than I do. We're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We've got Alayna Treene with us at the White House. Nic Robertson is in Islamabad. Alayna, let me start with you. It's been a busy 24, 36
hours in Washington, not least because King Charles the third and his wife Camilla, are in town. The war with Iran, referenced by the president, even
as he was playing host to the king. Tell us more about his mindset.
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yeah look, I think, and I apologize for the loud noise behind me with the work here on the North Lawn
of the White House, Becky.
ANDERSON: Right.
TREENE: But look, I think this issue of Iran, of course, was going to be one of the most closely watched for the king's visit, because this visit
from the royals comes at a time, of course, when the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom has been very strange because of
the rhetoric we've heard President Trump use when it comes to his frustration with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
And what he argues was, you know, many NATO and European allies rejecting the president's calls to intervene with helping reopen the Strait of
Hormuz. Now I should note with that remark, the president really seeming to reference some sort of private conversation he had with King Charles about
Iran.
I should be clear that there was no press in the room for any of the private meetings that they had yesterday. I should note they had that
President Trump and King Charles had a private meeting in the Oval Office. They also had a private tea. They had tea together, but there was no press
to confirm whether or not the king had actually made such a comment to the president.
We've also now heard from Buckingham Palace this morning, really trying to downplay. The President Trump apparently revealing that King Charles gave
any sort of answer when it came to Iran. Instead, they said that they align with the British government's quote, long standing and well-known position
on the prevention of nuclear proliferation.
Now again, one thing I should notice, of course, the king is bound to not be political, even as we saw some slight references during his speech up on
Capitol Hill yesterday. But again, I think when it comes to your exact question and specific question, Becky, about the president's mindset.
One, he has a very strong affection for the king and the royals. He recognizes that King Charles is not the head of the UK government, that
he's a bit separate. But I do think what the president was probably trying to intend to do there is to show some sort of alignment on Iran, especially
at a time when it's been so -- it's been such a politically fragile topic between these two countries, especially when we come to discuss NATO
membership.
[09:05:00]
And I would also just quick like to know as well that we did hear the king address the importance of the alliance while speaking on Capitol Hill
yesterday, just talking about how important that alliance has been for several decades now, and the importance of keeping that strong alliance
alive.
Look, I think, from what we heard ultimately from the president, particularly in his remarks last night at the state dinner. It did seem
like he had, he was very much had a positive view of King Charles visit, and I think that goes a long way with exactly what the UK was hoping it
would be.
I mean, many times we know, it's no secret that President Trump has such an affection for the royal families. He talked a lot yesterday about his
mother, who used to watch his, you know, watch the queen and the royals on television, someone who grew up in Scotland. And I think a big part of this
visit was to hopefully try to smooth over a lot of these tensions on this exact issue, Becky.
ANDERSON: I want to bring in Nic at this point. Alayna, thank you. As we understand it, there is still work on a new proposal. What are you being
told and what are you hearing there in Islamabad?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, I think, as Alayna was saying, you know, when President Trump sort of veers a little
bit off script, when he's with the king. Really, what we're hearing there from President Trump is his central concern, it appears, about these the
ongoing nature of the talks, and it's around the nuclear issue, and Iran had appeared before to want to park that issue separately and deal with
that later.
And I think that's still an element of the negotiations at the moment, but it does appear as if President Trump wants some part of the nuclear deal,
some part of an agreement on nuclear issues, enrichment. What happens to highly enriched uranium? Those are the most sensitive issues.
Are there other issues that he wants to see Iran come forward with. It's not clear. We don't get insight into the precise things that the
negotiators are putting to and fro with the Iranians, but that seems to be where it is. And I think you know a clear tip to where the president's
mindset is, was his Truth Social post this morning, as you mentioned, no more, Mr. Nice Guy.
The Iranians need to get smart. He said it's clear that he is looking for that answer from Tehran. The expectation is that it could be in the coming
days, the prime minister here, briefing the cabinet, told them that he -- that the foreign minister who was here over the weekend promised to give
him a phone call.
He didn't say when that phone call would come. So, I think the signaling here is the public signaling is that Iran is going to respond. The question
becomes, over how long does that response take? And is any delay a tactical delay? Iranians are very good at slowing negotiations down and sort of
clouding why that may be.
And the question does seem to focus on access to the supreme leader, to the Ayatollah, is it, quite simply, as we've been told that he's at the end of
a very sort of long logistics path of messages and at a secret location. Or is it, perhaps more prosaic than that the IRGC or others are really sort of
keeping him secluded or encouraging him to stay secluded so that they can really dominate the message of the negotiations.
And trying to understand that, I think, is something that the White House is trying to do that negotiators here will obviously look at closely. But
the bottom line is, if everyone was expecting an answer from the Iranians today, you know, they may just have to hold their breath a bit longer.
ANDERSON: Meantime, the Strait of Hormuz, of course, remains effectively closed. Alayna, Nic, thank you both. Next hour, America's Defense Secretary
is set to face Congress for the first time since the start of the Iran war. Pete Hegseth will be joined by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Dan
Caine and hearing before the House Armed Services Committee.
And they are expected to testify on the Trump Administration's proposed defense budget for 2027 which would increase military spending to an
unprecedented $1.5 trillion. They will, though, likely, face questions from lawmakers on everything from the ballooning cost of the Iran conflict to
that continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has caused gas and oil prices, of course, to surge.
Well despite a ceasefire, Israeli strikes on Southern Lebanon killed at least eight people on Tuesday.
[09:10:00]
The Israeli Defense Forces released this video showing some of Tuesday's strikes. Lebanese Civil Defense said two civilians were killed in one of
those strikes. The group also said that a second blast at the same location shortly afterwards, killed emergency workers who came to help.
Lebanon's President has condemned these strikes. CNN has reached out to the IDF for comment. Well, to some breaking news out of London now, two people
have been stabbed in the neighborhood of Golders Green in North London, according to a local Jewish neighborhood watch group.
CNN's team was first on the scene. Let's get you to CNN's Jomana Karadsheh, who is in London. Just explain what is going on there, Jomana.
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, as you can see over my right shoulder here, this is very much still an active crime scene cordoned
off by the police. Even residents of this area have not been allowed to cross the police line. About a couple of hours ago, we were driving back
from an interview with a rabbi at a synagogue close by, his synagogue was attacked recently.
And as we were driving up towards Golders Green, this predominantly Jewish area in North London, we could hear choppers up in the sky. We could hear
and see the police sirens and the emergency response. So, our team just got out of the cab and ran over to see what was going on.
And since then, of course, we have had those statements coming out from the Jewish charity, the Shomrim that runs the neighborhood watch patrols, as
well as the Met police in the last few minutes as well, saying that two Jewish people were stabbed in this attack. They were a 30-year-old and a
70-year-old man, according to the police, they are in stable condition.
The suspect, according to the Met, tried to also stab police officers. He was tasered and he was taken into custody. They say that he's a 45-year-old
man. They are working to establish his nationality, his background, any links he might have. This is being led by the counter terrorism police as
this investigation is ongoing.
I mean the Shomrim were saying, Becky, that the attacker was running down Golders Green Road with a knife, looking to stab Jewish members of the
public. And keeping in mind, this is coming after that spate of antisemitic arson attacks that we have seen around London since the end of March, that
has very much put the Jewish community on edge, to say the least, those attacks we don't know again, if this is linked to what is going on here,
what has happened here?
Those attacks we were claimed by a group that we've not heard of before. The British authorities have said that they are investigating its possible
links to Iran and whether Iranian proxies may have been used to carry out those arson attacks. Speaking with members of the Jewish community,
speaking with the rabbi earlier, you know, he was saying they're shocked by what is going on, but not surprised.
And the fear that we've heard from people here is that this sort of violence is becoming normalized. You know, after the arson attacks,
everyone was saying, thankfully, no one was hurt today, two people were stabbed here.
ANDERSON: Jomana, more from you as we get more, of course, back to you as soon as you have more information. Thank you. Meantime, Jerome Powell set
to give his last press conference later today as Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve. And he's facing a critical choice to stay on in a lesser role, or
to go entirely.
The Justice Department has closed the criminal investigation into Powell over the Fed's renovation project, clearing the way for him to stay on the
central bank's board of governors once his role as chair lapses in two weeks. Well, should he stay? He'd be issuing a defiant message to the Trump
Administration.
The president said he would fire Powell if he sticks around. Well, to unpack all of this, CNN's Matt Egan joining us live from D.C. Look,
investors are clearly sort of taking a breath today, pausing waiting on the Fed's decision. And so, let's start with what that is likely to be. What
can we expect?
MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, Becky, it does look like today will be Jerome Powell's final meeting at the helm of the Federal Reserve, but
there's really not that much suspense over what the Fed will do. I haven't talked to anyone who thinks the Fed will cut.
The market is pricing in about 100 percent chance that the Fed will keep interest rates exactly where they are for the third meeting in a row, and
yet the Fed could send some important signals about what's to come.
[09:15:00]
Namely, is the Fed going to sound more worried about inflation. The last time they met in mid-March, the hope was that this energy crisis in the
Middle East would be short lived. Of course, that has not happened. We've got 100, $110 oil, $4 plus gasoline here in the United States.
And there's all these concerns about the supply of everything from jet fuel to aluminum and plastic and fertilizer as well. One of the key questions is
whether or not the Fed will open the door to the next move, not being an interest rate cut, but perhaps an interest rate hike, because not only is
inflation moving the wrong direction, but there are hopes that the job market has stabilized.
So, the Fed really can't cut right now, because that would amount to pouring gasoline on the inflation fire. But the subplot I'm most intrigued
by is what's going to happen with the succession drama at the Fed. Now Powell his term, as you mentioned, his term as chair expires in mid-May.
However, he does have the option to potentially stick around, because his separate term on the Fed's powerful Board of Governors that doesn't expire
until January 2028. Now, normally, this wouldn't even be a question. Every single Fed Chair since 1948 has left the Board of Governors when their term
as chair expires.
But obviously we've left the world of normal quite a while ago, and a number of Powell's former colleagues and fed watchers, they tell me they do
suspect that Powell will break with recent history and stick around at least for a few meetings, and that's really for two reasons.
One, because Powell is a fierce defender of Fed independence, and he could view this as a way to protect that independence from political
interference. Also, because it could be viewed as a way to protect himself in case the Trump Administration tries to revive that criminal
investigation.
You mentioned, they say they've dropped that but it's not gone away altogether, just been punted to the inspector general at the Fed and
prosecutors, they have indicated they could revive that case, depending upon what the IG says. Now, Becky, Powell will surely face questions today
on this matter.
It's not clear whether or not he's going to detail exactly what his plan will be, but he's going to have to say something soon, because his time as
chair is nearly up. Back to you.
ANDERSON: It's good to have you, Matt. Thank you very much indeed. Matt Egan, in the house for you, folks. Still to come, sea shells on the beach
usually represent calm and beauty, right? But Trump officials say this photo is a threat to the president, and they are charging the man who
posted it. We will tell you why. Up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Former FBI Director James Comey is expected to self-surrender and appear in federal court today after being indicted again, this time over
sea shells on a beach.
[09:20:00]
The U.S. Department of Justice claims this photo. A photo of sea shells displaying the numbers 8647 that Comey posted on social media last May is a
threat to President Trump. 86 the slang for take-out and 47 referring to the 47th President of the U.S., that is Donald Trump.
That's the conjecture here. It's not the first time the DOJ has come after Comey. They alleged Comey lied to Congress. Last year, a judge dismissed
that case. Let's get you to CNN's Katelyn Polantz, who is outside the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia.
What do we make of what is developing here? What are the charges he faces? Does this case have legal merit? Will it hold up in court?
KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE REPORTER: Well, Becky, it's a new case, and James Comey is going to have to face it. Today we are
expecting him to come to this federal courthouse here in Virginia. Hundreds of miles away from the beach, and also a full year after he made that post
on social media, 8647 which the Justice Department says could have been perceived as a threat.
And they believe he knowingly and intently, willfully put that post on social media to threaten the president those -- that's part of the charges
that Comey faces, and he will Very likely be contesting this quite strongly in the days ahead. But today, it just starts the beginning of the case, his
initial appearance, his first appearance in court, and responding to the indictment by being arrested.
So, we do expect Comey to come in here this morning at some point, and him to go before a judge as well as the Justice Department. They won't get into
the meat of the case today, but so far, the Justice Department is quite clear that they believe that that threat was legitimate when it was posted
on social media by James Comey and then taken down, he apologized for it, said he had no intent to harm the president.
But here's what the Justice Department said yesterday in a press conference announcing these charges, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said it's
pretty serious.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TODD BLANCHE, ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: I think it's fair to say that threatening the life of anybody is dangerous and potentially a crime.
Threatening the life of the President of the United States will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
POLANTZ: But Becky, a lot of people in the legal community, including conservative lawyers, legal experts, people who really don't like James
Comey and have not said the same thing about the previous case against him, a perjury case, they say this one seems potentially unconstitutional and
certainly problematic on a lot of different fronts, especially given that Comey had apologized.
But that's not how court works. Once the case is on the books, you have to go through the proceedings and so today an initial appearance, and then
following that, very likely many challenges from James Comey's defense trying to tackle and get rid of this set of charges, two charges over this
alleged threat.
ANDERSON: It's good to have you, Katelyn, thank you. Katelyn Polantz is in Virginia for you. Well Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel
to New York in the coming hours for day three of their first state visit to the United States, said it expected to be a poignant trip.
The royal couple will visit the 9/11 memorial and meet the family's victims. On Tuesday, King Charles made history as the second British
monarch to address a joint meeting of Congress, but it was last night's state dinner at the White House that caught Buckingham Palace's attention.
During a speech U.S. President Donald Trump referred to the war with Iran and said, quote, Charles agrees with me, the political opinions. Let me
tell you, of British monarchs typically aren't aired in public. CNN's Royal Correspondent, Max Foster following the royal visit for us.
What did you make of what you've seen and heard to date, Max, including Donald Trump, sort of invoking the king's words, or at least suggesting he
agrees with him on something which is highly political, not something, as I say, that you would expect to be shared with the general public? And what
is expected from today's royal visit?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I thought that was very interesting. President Trump obviously leaked what happened in a private
conversation the convention normally is that you wouldn't leak those conversations. But you know, the president isn't bound by that.
He's not a British subject. And what I thought was very interesting afterwards is that the palace confirmed it, effectively saying it was
accurate. But they pointed me to the foreign secretary who was in the room, who was nodding as President Trump said that.
[09:25:00]
So, I think it's a bit of damage limitation, saying yes, the king did say what he said, but he didn't break any sort of constitutional rules because
it was in line with government policy. But it was interesting to see that convention of not revealing what you say with the king sort of falling
apart today.
But obviously the palace felt it needed to get involved with that. But yes, I think they went into this with experience, Becky. You remember a few
years ago that the president also shared some conversations he had with then Prince Charles in a private meeting where he said he was basically
bored because the king kept on talking about climate.
ANDERSON: What do we expect today and in the last sort of few hours of this trip?
FOSTER: Well, yesterday was all about, you know that state role and meeting figures of state, but today is very much about going to New York and
meeting the public. They'll start off though the 9/11 memorial and meeting families of victims of 9/11. I think this is -- there is a political
element to this in that Britain very much felt that they came to America's aid after 9/11 and fought alongside America in Afghanistan.
President Trump has played down the role of British troops in Afghanistan. So, this is really reminding everyone how Britain did play a role in that.
But the king will also go to an event in Harlem to meet members of the community. You know, if security allows, there might be walk about so we'll
get a sense of what Americans feel about Charles and Camilla.
Particularly after that speech, did it go down well? Do they agree with what the king did? Because it was pretty punchy for a king getting involved
in all those key issues. So, we'll see how that went down. I think a lot of color today, Becky.
ANDERSON: Got it. Max, good to have you, sir. Thank you very much indeed. Coming up, does the UAE's move to leave OPEC signal a broader shift in its
long-term strategy? More on that, is after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Right. Well, we are waiting on the opening bell on Wall Street today, investors do seem to be taking a bit of a pause. The futures markets
were indicating a rather mixed open taking a breath, perhaps from what has been going on.
[09:30:00]
No real sort of movement as far as the U.S.-Iran war is concerned. Oil prices still significantly higher. Brent crude trading up above 116, that's
the global benchmark, of course. And investors will be keeping a keen eye today on what the Federal Reserve does as far as indicating its rate
decision.
So that is the bell. Investment Group, Pershing Square, the Founder, CEO, Bill Atman, doing the honors today. Not sure which side of the market he is
on, but let's see how stocks are getting on at the open, all three indices do look as if they've opened slightly lower.
Would you like to give these markets just a moment or two just to cement themselves in? Look, there's not an awful lot of activity out there. I
would guess these volumes are relatively low out there today. As I say, there's quite a lot of sorts of sitting on the sidelines awaiting what
might happen next, not least Jerome Powell's decision.
He's likely his last as he Fed Chair, of course. Well, we'll keep a close eye on Wall Street and on oil prices as they extend their week-long rally.
Brent crude, as I say, the global benchmark trading at a one month high. WTI, the U.S. benchmark, continues its climb as well.
Well, the Middle East facing its most serious test in decades, the same Iranian strikes on the Gulf and shifting alliances have left deep fractures
between regional powers. And now, of course, a major strategic shift, with the UAE walking away from the oil cartel, OPEC and OPEC +.
Look, let's be quite clear about this, Gulf energy supplies are facing their most severe disruption in decades. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where I
am both seeing sharp declines, of course, in output. Qatar, experiencing the most significant shock, with production collapsing by some 85 percent.
Oman, shielded to a degree by geography and limited strikes on its energy infrastructure, it's the least affected of the Gulf producers. Early
estimates suggesting around a 20 percent rise in loadings there. Overall, Gulf crude production falling by more than 40 percent in March alone.
Beyond the oil story, though, in this region, there is a bigger question about alliances and who actually shows up in a crisis. And my next guest
writes quote the following, as Iranian drones and missiles have rained down on the Gulf, the targeted states have found unexpected allies globally, but
little support from their Arab neighbors.
The crisis, the region's largest since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, is not only testing the Gulf's air defenses, it is exposing the hollowness of Arab
solidarity, and the Gulf states are taking notes. Well, joining me now from Washington D.C., is Tareq Alotaiba he's an Emirati.
He's a fellow from the Middle East initiative at the Belfer Center at Harvard University. This piece you wrote recently certainly very well read
around the region where I am, and of course, I am in the United Arab Emirates. We spoke yesterday to the oil minister here.
He explains the UAE's decision to pull out from OPEC Friday this week, as stemming from the UAE greater flexibility, or its need for greater
flexibility in its energy policy, a policy, not a political decision, he says. Now, you're an analyst. You're not speaking on behalf the UAE
government.
But can you further explain why that decision by the UAE to pull out of the alliance the cartel of OPEC and OPEC + makes sense?
TAREQ ALOTAIBA, FELLOW AT MIDDLE EAST INITIATIVE AT THE BELFER CENTER AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY: Yeah, look, the Emirates has always taken measured
approach when it does moves, geopolitical moves like that, and they were very honest about what was going to happen.
They said after the Iran strike, they went back to their relationships, and they assessed which were working and which weren't. And I'm sure
internally, they've done a cost and benefit analysis, and OPEC lost out. The UAE has evolved economically beyond its need for OPEC.
You know, with oil at almost below 30 percent of its GDP, it's diversified. It's dynamic. It doesn't make sense for it to stay in the cartel. When it
comes to OPEC, the costs of staying in the organization outweigh the benefits.
[09:35:00]
ANDERSON: ADNOC, let's just give our viewers a little bit more sort of detail here. ADNOC which is the Abu Dhabi's national oil company, targeting
the production of 5 million barrels a day by 2027. At present, constricted by a quota by OPEC of around 3.4.
It's also planning to invest 10s of billions into, for example, building a gas business in the United States. I mean, I just want to get from you
briefly what that tells us about the UAE's thinking about its future in global energy markets?
ALOTAIBA: Yeah. So, the Emirates, when it considers its position economically, looks at itself as an agile player, and being chained by OPEC
and its quotas just doesn't make sense for its economic strategy. The 5- million-barrel goal, the UAE is very easily can meet that goal.
It has a plan to slowly do it, but also the market is ready for it. As we've seen since the UAE announced its withdrawal from OPEC, oil prices
have gone up. They haven't even gone down. And this with the expected increase in supply that's going to come in in May.
That just speaks to what the Emirati officials have said, which is that there is demand. The disruptions to Hormuz have caused a lot of countries
to tap into their strategic stockpiles. Over the medium term, at least, we're going to see countries not only filling them up, but also potentially
expanding the buffer to hedge against future disruptions.
The UAE is engaged with its customers, and leaving OPEC gives it more flexibility to meet their demands, but also gives it flexibility to set its
strategy in terms of exports.
ANDERSON: OPEC is led by Saudi Arabia. Does this decision by the UAE to your mind, weaken the cartel? And what does it say about the UAE's
relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at this point?
ALOTAIBA: Yeah, so again, it's no secret, since before the union of the Emirates, there's been on and off disagreements with neighbors, but the
Gulf states have proven to be very resilient in terms of resolving those disagreements and coming back to a state that works.
Clearly, there's a disagreement in direction now in strategy. The way I like to explain it is Saudi Arabia's approach is very monarchical, so it's
risk averse, and it likes to preserve the status quo and wait out the problems. And that strategy works in the long run, the Emirates strategy is
more entrepreneurial.
If something doesn't work, they like to do something new and take more risks. And that also works for the Emirates. I'm sure eventually there's
going to be a balance that comes between both states. In terms of OPEC however, you know, this may be time where OPEC has lost a lot of its
significance, and the United States is the world's largest oil producer, and it's not engaged with OPEC at all.
Once the UAE leaves, it's going to control under 30 percent of global production of energy. So, yeah, there's -- this is definitely a time where
OPEC needs to reassess its role.
ANDERSON: So, this is then I'm talking about the decision by the UAE to leave OPEC and OPEC +, this is a strategic sort of decision, strategic
autonomy born out as it were, an economic decision. At the same time, we are seeing clear evidence of shifts in the political dynamics around this
region which are well worth exploring.
You write quote, the war has shown which were true friends and which proved to be Bellwether partners. The UAE's ties with the United States, with
Europe, with Israel, with South Korea have strengthened during this crisis. Concerning the impact of weak Arab cohesion.
The question is not whether Abu Dhabi will remember, it is what the Arab world will look like when the UAE decides to move on. Now for years, UAE
has been building a model that looks to a post oil New World Order, and to you know, a greater degree, you can see it building its relationships with
countries outside of this region, as much as it did with countries within the region of the Middle East.
Can you explain just a little further your thesis there? And why this crisis perhaps has expedited this sort of you know, this movement away from
traditional allies and partners and what this might look like going forward?
[09:40:00]
ALOTAIBA: Yeah, so I think the Emirates hadn't realized how much it had outgrown the region. You know, it's economically complex. It's looking to
technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, alternative energies that the rest of the region just does not have a footprint in yet.
They're still in -- they still have a lot of room to grow in terms of their economic complexity. So already the Emirates is very well integrated with
more complex economies in the west and in the far east. So, the shift towards those allies just makes sense. And it's time of crisis again.
Not all Arab countries didn't show up, you know, Morocco, Jordan. They were really good allies to the Emirates. They really showed up when they were
needed. But again, the Western allies of the Emirates provided real help and real support when it was in a moment of crisis.
And it's logical to think that once the Emirates conducts its exercise of assessing its relationships, the real allies and the real points of focus
will emerge.
ANDERSON: Tareq, it's good to have you.
ALOTAIBA: Thanks, Becky. Good to be with you.
ANDERSON: Thank you very much indeed for joining us. Tareq Alotaiba in the house. All right. "World Sport" is up next. I'll be back in 15 minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:45:00]
(WORLD SPORT)
END
