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.
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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. 
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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. 
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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
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| Abu Dhabi – Perspectives: from the GSN archive |
Abu Dhabi moves ahead with plans to raise oil output to 3.5m b/d
After a long wait, there are orders for several major onshore and offshore projects
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
MBZ: Meeting with UK premier
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan was in London for talks on 25 October with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
Abu Dhabi takes an ever larger stake in Dubai Inc
Dubai’s return to the international credit market has been heralded as another sign that the commercial emirate is rebuilding confidence and balance sheets following its debt crisis. Less public is evidence that Abu Dhabi has built up a commanding position in the Dubai economy, much to Sheikh Mohammed’s discomfort
Issue 886, 1 October 2010. more
Sace guarantee, Islamic facility for Abu Dhabi steel
The Italian export credit agency Sace has guaranteed a $500m loan to General Holding Corporation, owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
Issue 885, 17 September 2010. more
Abu Dhabi’s Taqa accused of malpractice
A law suit filed by one of the Gulf’s most high-profile expatriate executives could point to a dark side in the mighty Abu Dhabi business empire, if the allegations are proven. The suit has been filed in the United States by former Abu Dhabi National Energy Company chief executive Peter Barker-Homek against his former employer.
Issue 884, 3 September 2010. more
Abu Dhabi sees results of diversification but employment concerns remain
Risk management report
Issue 884, 3 September 2010. more
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
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2008-2010 UAE – Abu Dhabi archive
2006-2007 UAE – Abu Dhabi archive
Pre-2003-2005 UAE – Abu Dhabi archive
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