US military bases in Gulf states become security liabilities after 2026 conflict
via NewsDay Zimbabwe10 min read
The 2026 conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has revealed that hosting American military bases in Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait no longer guarantees national security. Instead, these bases have made host countries prime targets for retaliatory strikes, challenging the long-held belief that a US military presence deters regional threats. During the conflict, Iran targeted infrastructure within Gulf states housing US troops, including radar installations, personnel sites, data centers, energy facilities, and desalination plants, rather than directly attacking the US homeland. This created an asymmetric security dilemma where Gulf populations bore the consequences of US policies. The conflict also led to significant economic disruption, with multinational corporations withdrawing from the Middle East, projected GDP losses of $120 billion to $194 billion for Gulf states, and a 27% drop in international tourist arrivals. The redeployment of US THAAD and Patriot anti-missile systems from Gulf states to Israel further exposed the conditional nature of US alliance commitments, leaving Gulf airspace vulnerable. The article suggests that Israel's asymmetric influence on US Middle East policy prioritizes Israeli security interests, often at the expense of Gulf states. A comparison of security strategies shows that Kuwait, with full alignment to the US, suffered extensive damage, while the UAE, balancing it
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Must ReadThe proposed US$3.6 million payment from businessman Wicknell Chivayo to Zimbabwean parliamentarians, amounting to US$10,000 each, has become a legal issue. Zimbabwean law, specifically the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act and the Privileges, Immunities and Powers of Parliament Act, prohibits public officers, including Members of Parliament, from accepting gifts or rewards intended to influence their official duties. Section 170 of the Criminal Law Act makes it a criminal offense for a public officer to receive a benefit in exchange for acting in a particular way in relation to their duties, carrying penalties of fines and imprisonment. The Privileges, Immunities and Powers of Parliament Act further states that no member shall accept any fee, compensation, gift, or reward for promoting or opposing any matter submitted to Parliament. The Code of Conduct and Ethics for Members of Parliament reinforces this, requiring MPs to act in the public interest and avoid financial obligations that could influence their decisions, and to disclose significant gifts. Even if framed as "constituency support," the scale and source of the payment would likely trigger scrutiny. The responsibility now falls on the Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda, and the Speaker to enforce these laws. Any MP accepting the payment could face criminal prosecution and parliamentary sanctions, with such conduct reportable to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
Must ReadBusinessman Wicknell Chivayo has caused a political stir by announcing a US$3.6 million "donation" to Zimbabwe's 360 lawmakers for constituency projects, with each legislator offered US$10,000. The money is reportedly to be handed to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, this week. This offer comes as Parliament prepares to debate the Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill, which includes provisions to extend the terms of the President, Members of Parliament, and councillors from five to seven years, and allows Parliament to elect the President, a move critics say undermines democratic principles. The timing of Chivayo's donation, despite his history of philanthropy, has raised ethical questions regarding potential influence on legislative decisions, particularly concerning constitutional changes. Critics argue that accepting such a donation could compromise parliamentary integrity, weaken the social contract, and create a conflict of interest, especially if lawmakers need to scrutinize Chivayo's business dealings. The article emphasizes that legislators, as trustees of public authority, must prioritize their conscience, constituents' interests, and the Constitution over financial inducements to maintain the independence and moral authority of Parliament.
Sofar Sounds Harare dedicated a recent concert at Chapungu Sculpture Park to International Women's Month, focusing on "Connecting Music, Gender Equality and Climate Change." The event featured a visual art exhibition by artists including Lin Barrie and Kimberly Magaya, and handmade items by Amanda Le Brenton and Tingting Wu. The show opened with minor sound glitches, which MC Michar Mushiko attributed to novice female sound engineers being mentored after a workshop by HerStage, an organization founded by Mary Anibal to address gender gaps in the entertainment industry. Despite initial technical issues, the audience remained patient. Performances included Matalamanda, poet Chioneso Rutsito, and the duo Verekai, comprising Verity Tichawangana and Sekai Zengeza. Mary Anibal also performed, and a collaboration between Tichawangana, Anibal, and Jacob Mafuleni covering Chiwoniso Maraire's "Mai" captivated the audience. Veteran dancer Soukaina Edom delivered a surreal performance, and classically trained Tahle We Dzinza closed the show. The event was described as a subtle and profound affair, celebrating the complexity of Zimbabwean women.
Harare residents have expressed strong disapproval of the performance contracts signed by city council department heads and senior managers, including acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo. Residents argue that these contracts are ineffective in addressing persistent service delivery failures and that many officials at Town House do not merit their positions. Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba stated that only the director of health, Prosper Chonzi, deserves a renewed contract, citing the deterioration of service delivery across other departments due to what he described as incompetent and arrogant officials. Shumba specifically criticized the water and housing departments for unprofessionalism, negative attitudes, and officials allegedly working with land barons. In response, councillor Jacob Mafume dismissed the allegations against him, stating that most senior staff were employed before his tenure as mayor and defended the city's recruitment process as rigorous, involving multiple interviews and security vetting.