Defending the seas
A look at maritime defence in the Middle East, Venezuela’s energy sector, and the ‘fat tax’.
When we decided to look at DIMDEX for this week’s show, I felt just a little dim myself. It certainly wasn’t the kind of conference name which inspired me, particularly for TV purposes!
DIMDEX, it turns out, was the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition, and the simple fact is there is a lot of business when it comes to defence these days.
And, as clichéd as it may sound, this part of the world is the place where a lot of that spending is happening because of ongoing issues like Iran.
Remember some of the basics … like 40 per cent of the world’s oil going through the Straits of Hormuz, which is flanked by Iran. Protecting and policing these waters is crucial to global security, and I don’t think that is overstating the point.
Then you’ve got piracy issues … ships and crews keep getting taken hostage, meaning things like ransom payouts, increased insurance, and financial hits to the companies doing the shipping and the companies which own the things being shipped!
Charles Stratford is our man this week … a hard-working reporter in anyone’s book, who has been (among other places) on board a submarine this week. Lucky him!
A week in the Twitterverse
So I’ve been tweeting for a week, and I have to say I’ve rather enjoyed it.
I was by no means convinced about its usefulness or otherwise, but I think I’m being converted. Thanks to the 20 people who’ve joined up so far – I wasn’t even expecting that many to be honest!
Special mentions to @Riy for setting up the page (he is our social networking genius here at AJE) and @mjismail for the story ideas which were messaged to me.
Must also mention Julie Boquet in Paris who demonstrated to me (probably without knowing it) the power of the internet and television combined.
Literally seconds after CTC had its broadcast on Monday at 0830GMT, my iPhone pinged to say that I had a new follower.
It was Julie, who I’m presuming had just seen the twitter promo at the end of the show, and decided to start following. If that’s the case, then I’m sold! If it’s not, then I’m still pleased to have one more follower. Let me know, Julie!
Other stories
Got some other great stories on the show this week. A really good look at the energy sector in Venezuela which is just so important to the country … and the bad news for larger Air France passengers who’ll be hit with a so-called “fat tax”.
Sounds harsh, but is it in fact fair? Let me know your thoughts via the twitter page @AJCountingCost.
Counting the Cost can be seen each week at the following times GMT: Friday: 1430, 2030; Saturday: 0430, 1230, 1900; Sunday: 0130, 1630; Monday: 0830; Tuesday: 0600.