The players - resources on key people and personalities in Abu Dhabi.
Perspectives: from the GSN archive - articles on Abu Dhabi from GSN's extensive database.
Return to main GSN's World UAE page
Select another country
Al-Nahayan family tree
A family tree showing the line of succession in Abu Dhabi and the prominent role played by the sons of the late Sheikh Zayed
Published August 2008. 
Download the PDF
Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa: Abu Dhabi royal’s interest in Russian oligarchs’ duel
Despite the best efforts of transparency campaigners and investigative journalists, the networks by which billionaires and power-brokers conduct their business remain all too often shrouded in secrecy. Court papers relating to a dispute between two of Russia’s best-known ‘oligarchs’ reveal something of this world, in which Gulf royals apparently add to their fortunes by helping out billionaire acquaintances confronted with problems such as engineering cross-border financial transactions
Issue 877, 21 May 2010. 
more
All eyes on Adia following Sheikh Ahmed’s death
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, a son of the UAE’s founding president, has died after a microlight aircraft he was learning to fly crashed in Morocco on 26 March. Sheikh Ahmed was managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) and had substantial business interests. He was born in 1969 to the late sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and his prominent wife Sheikha Mozah Bint Suhail Bin Awaidha Al-Khaili. His older full brother is deputy prime minister and interior minister Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed; he reportedly had three other full brothers. In 2003, Sheikh Ahmed married Alyazia Bint Hamad Bin Suhail Al-Khaili.
Issue 874, 9 April 2010. more
The Dubai crisis has put relations with Abu Dhabi under the spotlight – and the fallout will be huge
The genesis of the crisis, and the confused and opaque manner with which it has been handled, raises questions about the viability of traditional ruling models without the support of sovereign state institutions and accountability. Meanwhile, the delicate balance of Abu Dhabi-Dubai relations has shifted again
Issue 867, 4 December 2009. more
Issa Bin Zayed torture allegations throw up a digital age challenge
The Abu Dhabi ruling family has earned international respect for its discreet behaviour and traditionally unostentatious stewardship of its huge wealth, so that some senior Al-Nahyan were genuinely embarrassed at the media circus surrounding Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed’s takeover of British football club Manchester City. But such susceptibilities pale into insignificance compared to the global airing given to allegations that Sheikh Issa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, a son of the much-loved late UAE president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, participated in – indeed, led – the brutal torture of an employee, Mohammed Shah Poor. The incident was filmed and that film has leaked; it is being used as evidence in a US court case. Having bubbled under for some time, the case has gained international celebrity via the web.
Issue 852, 1 May 2009. more
Also see Issue 853, 15 May 2009: Issa Bin Zayed: Under house arrest
MBZ gains clout in court revamp
The court of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan (MBZ) takes on a new status and a clearly defined role under reforms announced by the emirate’s Ruler and UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed.
Issue 800, 2 March 2007. more
Al-Nahayans reshuffle the deck, shaping the UAE’s succession
Sheikh Khalifa is president and Abu Dhabi ruler, and Mohammed Bin Zayed is expected to be a very hands-on crown prince. The government list published the day before Sheikh Zayed’s death was announced gives several pointers to the UAE’s political direction in the next few years.
Issue 745, 12 November 2004 more
TOP
| Abu Dhabi – Perspectives: from the GSN archive |
Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa: Abu Dhabi royal’s interest in Russian oligarchs’ duel
Despite the best efforts of transparency campaigners and investigative journalists, the networks by which billionaires and power-brokers conduct their business remain all too often shrouded in secrecy. Court papers relating to a dispute between two of Russia’s best-known ‘oligarchs’ reveal something of this world, in which Gulf royals apparently add to their fortunes by helping out billionaire acquaintances confronted with problems such as engineering cross-border financial transactions
Issue 877, 21 May 2010. more
New Adia head
Sheikh Hamad Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has been named managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority following the recent death of his brother, Sheikh Ahmed (GSN 874/12).
Issue 875, 23 April 2010. more
All eyes on Adia following Sheikh Ahmed’s death
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, a son of the UAE’s founding president, has died after a microlight aircraft he was learning to fly crashed in Morocco on 26 March. Sheikh Ahmed was managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) and had substantial business interests. He was born in 1969 to the late sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and his prominent wife Sheikha Mozah Bint Suhail Bin Awaidha Al-Khaili. His older full brother is deputy prime minister and interior minister Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed; he reportedly had three other full brothers. In 2003, Sheikh Ahmed married Alyazia Bint Hamad Bin Suhail Al-Khaili.
Issue 874, 9 April 2010. more
Mubadala’s 2009 results warrant close inspection
Abu Dhabi’s ambitious Mubadala Development Company has released results for 2009, which are better than those for 2008, although it appears MDC is substantially dependent on government-related operational activities, external investments and shares in foreign entities to offset losses elsewhere in its portfolio to make an overall profit.
Issue 874, 9 April 2010. more
Iran angry over Gates talks
US defence secretary Robert Gates has been in Abu Dhabi for talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan.
Issue 873, 19 March 2010. more
Abu Dhabi in the spotlight as its GRE receive ratings downgrades and Adia issues first review
Six Abu Dhabi government-related entities and UAE state-owned Etisalat have been downgraded, while Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s first review lacks detail
Issue 873, 19 March 2010. more
Al-Fahim under pressure on all fronts
Former head of Abu Dhabi’s Hydra Properties Sulaiman Al-Fahim has provided the western media with a bounty of stories over the past two years, but has been in even deeper trouble back home.
Issue 872, 5 March 2010. more
Ipic, MDC among downgraded firms
Mubadala Development Corporation (MDC), International Petroleum Investment Company (Ipic) and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) were among the seven leading Abu Dhabi government-related entities downgraded by Moody’s Investors Service on 4 March
Issue 872, 5 March 2010. more
UAE needs to focus on transparency
It would be hard to tell there was a Dubai financial crisis, with the UAE’s bank reporting season in full swing. On the face of it, results so far suggest there is better news coming out of Dubai than Abu Dhabi, but consideration of UAE financial risk may be better based on transparency rather than good news.
Issue 871, 12 February 2010. more
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM THE ARCHIVES
2008-2010 UAE – Abu Dhabi archive
2006-2007 UAE – Abu Dhabi archive
Pre-2003-2005 UAE – Abu Dhabi archive
Return to main GSN's World UAE page
Select another country
