… to teach people how to behave on the train. The sheer number of people who want to use the Metro, combined with the newness of the project, has meant chaos for the system.

Dubai’s metro rail opened (grandly - how else) today. Construction on the system will continue, but as of today residents and tourists can take the train along Sheikh Zayed road. Yale graduate student Tabitha Decker points out, rightly, that the metro’s significance as evidence of investment in public goods represents a slightly different Dubai than the seven-star-hotel image. Of course, the fact that you can choose to ride first class on the subway for a fare several times more expensive than the base cost offers a counterpoint, but that does not make it not a public good.

Another counterpoint, which the article points out, is that one crucial element of public transportation is the fact that people walk from their homes to the places where they board it. Dubai is not known for its pedestrian friendly environment - weatherwise or sidewalkwise. Perhaps investment in one public good will point out the importance of investing in others.

No matter your views - check out the photos.

Wedad Lootah, an Emirati social worker, has published a book about sex, marriage and Islam that is now for sale in the UAE. The title is “Secrets of Sexual Congress Between Married Couples”. She paid for the publication out of her own pocket, and had the mufti of Dubai review her manuscript beforehand.

The United States and the UAE now have an agreement wherein the UAE can utilize nuclear power reactors as a civilian energy source, but will import and export nuclear material and waste. Hmm. This means that the UAE is the first Arab state to develop nuclear capabilities. The NY editorial board points out the obvious: it can't be coincidence that they are launching this campaign, coupled with very slick lobbying efforts in Washington, coterminously with Iran's nuclear project. (Although the editorial does seem to waffle between a realist stance on geopolitics and modernity cheerleading). The Gulf States are, in fact, considering a joint civilian nuclear energy effort that would include Iran. It looks like Hillary Clinton will support efforts of this nature as Secretary of State; we’ll see.

Tala al Ramahi offers an optimistic perspective on women's advancement and men's role to play therein in the Emirates.

December 2 is the UAE's national day. Says UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed:

My brothers and sisters in nationality, the march of our federation through the last 37 years has made numerous achievements, fulfilled enormous ambitions and encompassed several avenues of our lives, taking our nation, the society and the individual into the 21st century, adequately armed to face its challenges and opportunities.

At the same time, the sense of satisfaction over what we gained in our country should not be a reason for lethargy and relaxation; rather it should be an endless inspiration for more work and self giving. This selfless work should fortify the gains of the citizens, should guarantee more achievements, and should strengthen our hopes as well as the hopes of the coming generations for a noble life in dignity, security and stability.

My brothers and sisters in nationality, when I made a call during the last year to make 2008 an year of national identity, I did not aim to connect our identity with a timeline, as the identity is not a symbol for a specific phase. Identity is rather a comprehensive framework, within which we preserve our cultural heritage and civilisation. It shapes our attitude towards our surroundings and defines the direction, where our special nature and the strengthening elements of our characteristics will be preserved.

My objective was to encourage initiatives and define the mediums and mechanisms which will help to develop the components of our identity in a way that will protect it from wantonness, and keep it well-fortified against distortions; ultimately leading us to tranquillity that all citizens aspire for themselves as well as for their children who come after them.
Read the President's address here in full, translated from Arabic to English.

Facebook users in the UAE voice concern that Internet Service Providers in the Emirates will begin blocking Facebook in whole or in part.