and 4 days branson's company, virgin galactic will make the trip 9 days before amazon. jeff bezos does the same. grants and jokes about his wife being nervous. i wife is the person who would be terrified on a on a budget plan or a budget to try and see if we want to do something like that. i wouldn't be getting sooner on the lady see if you know the person do these wonderful things. yeah. you can do it on what you guys, you know, if you know, ah, hello again. the headlines on al jazeera, indonesia has expanding. nationwide restrictions is a delta variance feels a surgeon covered 1900 infections on death. the daily number of cases has hit another record high of more than 31000. jessica washington has more from

a cemetery near jakarta. it is likely to get was, but it's hard to imagine just what that might look like because already people are struggling. whenever you open your phone, you see people looking for oxygen looking for plasma, looking for medicine, whatever they can get. and the government says that they are trying to relieve some of the strain on the hospitals. they're trying to add beds to hospital, create additional isolation facilities, but doctors say they already stretched beyond the limits that there was, there are only so many health care workers, and they're far too many patients for them to look after all of them. so korea is reporting its highest daily current of his counts and late december. more than 1200 infections were recorded on wednesday, forcing a delay and finds the ease. restrictions about 30 percent of the population has received one dose. so far. the lockdown in australia's biggest city has been extended by weak. sidney tries to stamp out infections driven by the delta vary and it's reported more than 350 cases in the past 3 weeks. a significant jump in

a city where there had been barely any infections for among us defense department says the withdraw from of gone to sun is 90 percent complete. the afghan government has launched a counter offensive after taliban games across the country. the 2nd most active volcano in the philippines is at risk of, for russian. tens of thousands of people have been relocated away from high risk areas near a tile in baton. guess province. canada's prime minister has visited a site where hundreds of unmarked graves were found last month. justin trudeau attended a ceremony at the calluses, 1st nation in the province to sketch around there. more than $750.00 graves out the site. once home to an indigenous residential school, one of the injures most well known on respected actors de la kumar has died at 98 years old. he'd been ill for some time. those are the headlines inside story is next. i am sorry. should we be about raising prices and harley down to the foreign

government? we bring you the stories and developments that are rapidly changing the world. we live in time in that designate adult who has the task of fixing a war torn economy. counting the cost on al jazeera, they were close allies until recently, saudi arabia and the u. e are now in the world, and a bitter is if you, from oil to politics the, to both nations are on conflicting. what's behind the breakdown and what impact will it have on the reason this isn't types or, ah, ah hello and welcome to the program. i'm jenny, navigate on saudi arabia and the united arab emirates have been working side by side for many years. they've been close allies on everything from military to

economic matters. but a recent dispute at an opec plus meeting has illustrated growing strains between the 2 gulf nations. the morality government rejected a saudi lead deal, which includes extending and existing cap on oil outputs and increasing production in the coming months. the u. a, a block, the agreements calling it unfair and demanding an increase in its own production. but saudi arabia's oil minister has promptly rejected that request. all producing nations have been trying to stabilize the global market, as it slowly recovers in the worst periods of the pandemic. they cut out put last year in an effort to increase falling prices. the saudi energy minister called for compromise and rationality and what was seen as a pushback against the u. e. z refusal prince. i believe he's been sell, man also said we're looking for a way to balance the interests of producer on consumer countries on for market stability in general, especially when shortages are expected due to the decrease in stockpiles or saudi

arabia on the u. e. have deferred on a number of issues in recent months. the emerging government has downsize, its military presence, and the saudi latoya ship fighting, who is in yemen, while saudi arabia has taken the lead. and the blockade of cats are, despite some reluctance from the u, a. e. it also did not join the u. e and some other arab nations in signing a piece deal with israel. saudi arabia as amended rules on imports from other gulf countries that would affect goods made and so called free zones, including those by israel. and it's also threatened to cut off multinational from contracts if they don't relocate to the kingdom. and more recently, the saudi government has been travel to and from the u. e. sites in corona virus concerns the let's not bring in our guest. joining us from react as often as either of us young who's a researcher and fellow for the secretary and isn't proxies and the secretary and

ization project and london, andrea is craig, was an assistant professor at kings college london and call through surrogate warfare. the transformation of war and the 21st century. joining us from kuwait city is about it and say, who the non resident fellow at the carnegie middle east center. thanks for joining us on insight story. welcome to you all. but it is safe to begin with. you, how would you describe relations between the u. e and saudi arabia as they stand today? to pleasure to be with me today is a relation i've always gone through. you know, and i've been slow. the relationship has been climax, the moments in which way congress, their interests align and other times they have diapers. there's been a crop in the past 2 days is not a surprise in terms of their interest divergence repeated beverage in yemen. in the past we've seen diverts in terms of iraq, 1st with other than the gulf and so on. this is a part of the long series of events that speak to

a dynamic relationship when it's up and down. ok true. they have diverged and we'll get into the specific differences in a moment, but traditionally, at least about it and there are differences weren't so publicly discussed. so how rare is this public disagreement over the issue of oil output of the opec plus meeting this public display? and i would say, speaks to the you, a self perception of itself is a rising power in the region. and it's not only went ahead with its position and didn't feel the need to even lobby other opec producers to present or engage in the position. and that although i said, let me tell you there is common interest from both parties that ensure that they maintain a united front at least publicly and in terms of political issues. the divergence is whether we see the non b comics will increase in the future as the competition in the post and they go

through the new phase with them scrambling. we're more awkward production that the time and raise credit can you weigh in. i mean, was divergence here, inevitable given there are differing views and roles recently. well, i agree with bothered, i mean, if you look, if you look at the period of, you know, you a saudi relations of a last 50 years. certainly there will abs and flows. but the question is, what's the reference point that we compare this to this current, this card escalation that we compared to? i mean, if the reference point is the very historic announcement in 2017 of the strategic alliance between the u. a in saudi arabia, then certainly we are at a low point at the moment, but there is something to be said here about diverges of interest. i think what is quite clear is that the problem and this time around which makes it very different from other ebbs and flows that we've seen in that relationship is the fact that, you know, the united arab emirates no longer see themselves as a vessel state of saudi arabia or state that, you know,

it's somewhat existing in the shadows of saudi arabia, but it is one that has won a lot of confidence in the last 4 or 5 years. we've seen that particular during the trump era. we've seen them are becoming increasingly assertive, and the search as being a 3rd means doing whatever they think is right in their own national interest. and that sometimes is, will come at the expense of saudi arabia and that's not just in the, in the oil domain. we've seen that in yemen. we've seen that when it came to normalization with israel. and we've seen a lot of that pressures going on in the, in the ongoing, in, at the time on going gulf crisis where the moratti's were not willing to yield to saudi efforts. to kind of trying to reconcile with casa, so over that, over that period we've seen the, the mirage is becoming increasing the sort of seeing everything through the lens over 0 so mentality. and i think that is something that the saudis of now realize, and it is kind of putting quite a lot of burden on that relationship. but hang on a 2nd address. let's dig in specifically on the opec issue. the us is energy minister said this that the u. s. has sacrifice the most and we can't make a new agreement under the same conditions. we have

a sovereign right to negotiate. so does he have a point when he says that we have a sovereign right and this absolutely, i mean that the problem here, again, the reference point of all these agreements is to put levels from to 12018. so it's quite clear again that the rockies, you know, having increased the potential output or the action was that they can, that they have a right to renegotiate. and the question is, how do they negotiate? and i think that has changed and we're all these become they used to be under ships . i've been kind of recording, trying to find common ground from to be diplomatic and compromising, bring brick matic. and i think being assertive now means they playing everything in a 0 sum fashion, which means you know, negotiations are hard and they're being forward in the public domain, which is something that the morality is know how to dominate. they know how to use the information environment to kind of play in their favor. ok. i didn't, i didn't know she on saudi arabia's energy minister called on quote, compromise and rationality or from the u. e. i mean, do you think that either site is willing to back down when it comes specifically to the opec issue opec plus issue?

well firstly, good day to you in good day to your guest and all your years. i think in the spirit of divergence, i won't. my analysis in my thoughts won't diverge very much from what they seem to guess are ready, said indeed, you know, i would like to mimic or reinforce this notion of leadership and projection. and there are some fashion in sovereignty, but what? and that kind of leads very well to answering your question. because i don't see side ravia or that the saudi oil minister to try to negotiate or, or concede anything. because now it seems to be a stand off. it doesn't have to be this way. and as the under a said, you know, it, it is a 0 on fashion. it, it seems to be a perception to 0 some fashion or, or are common. it's a common perception in the goals. it doesn't have to be this way,

but that's how some states view things. so i, it will be very interesting to see who will try to concede 1st. so i don't see our very best standing down because this is more of a projection of power. and also dr said earlier, you know, it is also part of this. you were the projection of leadership of this new region projection of leadership and region and to be more assertive. so what's very interesting here is that the next decisions regarding the oil output, etc. it is actually something about how they identify themselves and how in particularly how the u. e will identify it. so if it identifies itself as a, as this new regional trying or at aspiring to be this regional heavy weight, then if it's going to receive some regarding to which i didn't see that i cannot

no longer claim that it is this up and coming heavy weight and so it will be very interesting to see how they both frame discursive, lee, what the next decisions will be. i know that you have also said the idolize is that this specific spot, if we may call it that is economically driven. because both countries have economic modems, but these are 2 countries that have built up a reservoir, a strategic alignment. so why is economic competition intensifying among them now? well, this is a good question and i think one has to look at this in the broad scheme of things. so the, i mean i, i mentioned it, it is quite important to understand that this isn't just not an economic issue. this is an issue of where a position now let's see where are both positioning themselves in this very

contingent region now. and in particularly b u a. so where are you trying to, to find itself in this region. so it's not simply just an economic issue. and i was what the previous guess, rightfully mentioned it's policies in the us and in yemen, it's normalization with israel. and it's attempt to get others to normalize with israel if that's also very important. so, you know, this is, this speaks to the competition that the united arabic is trying to of course, compete in, but also trying to come out with a better outcomes not just economically, but do you strategically as well. ok, let's look at some of the other issues in a little bit more detail and dress craig earlier this week. saudi arabia suspended all fly from the u. e is, i'm sure you're aware. now the official line coming out of saudi arabia was the

suspension was due to the corona virus pandemic in the, and the spread of the new strain. but the timing of it is quite interesting because that happened just hours after the u. e blocked the saudi deal. to ease oil cuts, i mean, what do you make of the timing of that? is there something behind it and what's your response? the official line coming out of saudi arabia on that? well, i think it, it, yeah, there is a why did use strategic context to this? but, you know, let's not, let's, let's stay in the economic domain for a moment. i mean, this is all part of, you know, saudi arabia trying to diversify as well. and this whole kind of policy, too, of diversification for saudi arabia is, is one that cannot come in form of compromise with, with the weight when it comes to relocating and headquarters, for example, when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment. you know, the saudi arabian needs to leads to compete quite harshly with the marines, and that is what's going on. and obviously the saudi arabia also now that they wanted to launch a new airline. so they're trying to reassert itself as, as, as

a potential competitor to couple ways and emeralds that might play into that as well. and then we see on top of that we've got that opec that, oh pick element to it. and then forget, there is an issue with a pandemic and the way that the emeralds have of pushed in and fighting the pandemic, which is about opening up very, very early on collaborating with china on, on the vaccine and using the vaccine quite widely within the u. a and obviously the vaccine hasn't been that effective, and there is a good point to be made to say, let's limit the influx of em, rockies or people coming from the embers into the kingdom. because there is an issue here with the delta very, that's very widely spread in the us. and also if you look at the u. k, the approach, again, same thing. you a seen as a read this, the country because of their high infection, right? and the delta very being widely spread the explanation program being not as efficient. so, you know, this is not just political. i mean, there are some very, very important underlying issues here when it comes to fighting the pandemic. okay . and better than say,

another issue and sticking with the economy here is that saudi arabia has also recently amended rules on imports from other goals. countries that would affect goods made and so called free zones. as you know, free zones are a major driver of device economy. what do you make of that move or good leg like andreas, i would say that there are a host of reasons behind such a move and it's not reactive. trying to think in relation to the look there, they're competing in the region in which the economy rain king and they need to prove themselves on the oil. they will and all types of tools, the u. e. g, a, b, and even the other states that matter ensure that they can try such a scenario. hence, bringing in a limitation on free trade zones, really speaks to that the elements you need some kind of a protection. and in terms of having a preferential treatment for ccc,

countries with those imports, the task force, obviously a free trade zone. and if you go into detail, you look at then tapping it's a 25 percent local workforce. so it goes lower than that. then it wouldn't be considered local, kind of, you know, so i think that serves a wider merited. and that serves a backdrop in which they need to realize that they are working towards the same goal. now do you really might be, you know, miles behind in terms of where you e and even to that level is in terms of economic advertiser and you know, a diversification do my model if you want to call it that is not meant to drive on its own, i mean it's expected to see competition. and so that's how the was just wondering how many that were going to see moving forward. and it does not really undercut bit political pretty the relationship that they've handled through. then you allow me,

i want to comment as well on where we stand in terms of the u. e. today with, with a whole opec path and we'll with come after it, i think regardless of what happens, whether they reach a compromise or not, or they buy or the u. a goes on with its own production. i think the way has, you know, made a mark and it has one tool by putting out that position the owner be ravia to reassert this perceived leadership. and the reason in the goal and to show that this is not going to pass through because the precedence, because if you allow for richer things to go ahead and needed an economic sphere, then that means that more lots of coordination will take on and it's not going to be beneficial, so let's look at some of the political issues that these i'll bring you in here. let's take a look at m and for us, because we know that the 2 countries of course, intervene side by side and to oppose these. but then they diverged and started

opposing sides, different sides in the south of the country. how much there are differences in yemen, contribute to this situation, but they find themselves in today? well i think it, you know, this speaks to the, the fact that we shouldn't be surprised about this, this, this current disagreement or impasse right now. because if we look at the mini sphere, we could see the divergence happening there for actually years. so what i think that sphere and other spheres have shown is not just the, the, the lack of compatibility but, but the limits in which the saudi, you, a relationship can flourish, that there are limitations to this, that you know, that there is, this partnership is not it, you know, they're, it's not completely serving the domestic agendas are both

agenda as a respective agenda, the saudi arabia and the u. e. so i do think that the many here is one out of many . so it's the other aspect. and i think the, the, the colleagues under and by the follow the gcc for more than i do, did you speak to politics, but i particularly focus on saturday, foreign policy towards israel. and so what, what i've seen from the abraham, of course, is that that was the point that made me very convinced that this is the limit between the saudi. you a partnership that here is a, a set crossing the ruby can. that actually fundamentally undermine did the piece initiative, which is the saudi piece initiative, which is based on the 3rd piece initiative. moreover, you know, it kind of pushed for or didn't obstruct the, the u. s. pressure to make so israeli flights fly over saudi airspace. so

we're starting to see and limits, and that's one angle to look at the limit to this ration ship. and so, and this is why i think, what, but the said to carry on from that is that, you know, this, it's best to overcome this. looking at it in the gcc perspective, in that you know, all have to pool their, their sources and all have to look at their goals, not in a 0 some fashion, as i said, look at it as a, as a win win fashion. right? that's going to take a lot of time. ok, now that you mentioned the abram accord and res craig, to what extent the, the signing of those abram accords between the u. e. and israel contribute to this friction because some people and saudi arabia raise their eyebrows when this deals in place with it all goes to the same, same issue. i think we didn't really mentioned the relationship in washington the relationship to washington in this respect that i think it's very important to bear

in mind that saudi arabia, in the u, a competing for the same space in washington for both sides of the political aisle and with trump gone and trump somewhat giving a less the fair approach to middle east policy in a u a. and so you would get away with a lot of things and they knew with went by and came in. they knew this was going to change and they would have to make amends. they would have to change their position that posture as well. and we see in that respect both of them are competing. and is there some fashion for the kind of support from, from the us president. and i think we've seen from, from that side of things we've seen, the mirage is trying to distance themselves from the saudis and vice versa. and the element of america in this is very important because the, the records were away for the mirage to buy credit in washington and somewhat. the saudi saw this as buying credit at their expense because there was a lot of pressure, a lot of leverage being put upon the saudis and b as to kind of normalize. and that was not just by coaching, but many of the saudis many in the inner circle around me as well. so looking at

this as a way of the moratti's putting pressure on cushing and saying, look, we can do it, maybe the saudis can, and there was pressure that was put on saudi arabia. that was at a level where the saudis couldn't actually make concession. it was too costly and have you seen postcards award probably wasn't the right decision not to go forward with normalization. but that was a very, very important element of competing in that information space as well. how you know, looking good in of washington. and it seems like you have tried also indiana to dissociate themselves from saudi arabia, kind of leaving saudi to kind of bad, a political and reputational burden of the conflict and leaving the moratti's with that freedom to maneuver without actually incurring that many costs. well, yeah, go on, complete the false. no, i mean the same is true for israel in israel. the mirage has no consideration for their so called strategic ally and just went forward without trying to find a common position. ok, better than safe. what about the and on the agreement which ended the, the cuts are blockade. i mean, how did that agreements play a role in all of this?

the, that's where we're doing. we're bring up the function, complete the thought that and they put in the prep, c the cords and the way in which they could be favor with the both sides of the island. the us, as well as reasons for national initiative, has been on the, on the table for quite some time according, as mentioned. so go to the other type agreements, is a saudi i mean it was affiliated by creating the us, but it was a saudi approach to ensure that they also show that benevolence side of them being based men like that. they can overcome differences that they can re unite the goal together. but, you know, with striking, if you compare what's happening with and the gcc ad,

the current you saw the conflict or this view is that there is a commonality in which there isn't that much regard for governance structures. we have a very clear charter that has a dispute resolution closing the gc was not local and the problem happened and when the resolution to place, i guess way also there is the saudi mit coordination council that's been out there since 2017. you would think that these issues will be resolved behind those different mechanisms and ok, let me just bring it out there as a because i know you want to jump in. the last word is for you and tell me how you think this is all going to play out. i'm going to escalate or will they learn to live with these differences? well, one thing that i really want to say was that this 0 sum perception and this, there are some logic that's taken places not just constrained within the gpc, but it's actually part of a, a middle east phenomenon was taken place. so that's one thing that i was really

itching to say. now in regards to how i see this playing out, it's important to think about framing and how in which frame should we look at this . so if we're going to look at this in a frame of and targeted them or conflict to understand the saudi, you eat relations currently. i think this will very much overlook the quantities that saudi you. we have and i think that will be very, it will be very inaccurate. i think if we look at this, that's in a way of competition, that this is actually part of relations and part of this kind of the normal residue of competition. and it could be strong competition then that could encompass other areas where they could actually cooperate and acknowledge where they could actually agree because they do on the mental agree on many things. this is now starting to see an intensification of the competition on the competition of identity,

but also in competition on political and economic issues to all right on that. now we'll have to leave it there. thank you so much from, i guess i've been as ease and sean under as craig embedded safe. we thank you for joining us, and thanks for watching you can see the program again. anytime by visiting our website, al jazeera dot com for the discussion, you can go to our facebook page, facebook dot com, forward slash ha inside story, and join the conversation on twitter or handle as a james i story. and myself and the whole team here in delphi. thanks for watching . bye for now. the the story of them bob way, in her words, she is always told from the perspective of the great man, whether it's even moving on robot mcguffey. my responsibility is to tell when story in a way that it hasn't really been told before the ordinary. everyday life was involved

with the people. i'm writing about patina got out of darkness. my zimbabwe on al jazeera, the news news news with

me. oh, hospital stars of oxygen and covered $900.00 deaths rising in denice warned the worst if its outbreak might be yet to come. a watching l 0 life from a headquarters in del navigator also ahead. the us faces more pressure about the speed if it's afghan withdrawal, the taliban gaining ground on local forces, struggling canada name. that's 1st and did.