McGurk joined Biden's NSC: Another nightmare for Erdogan
January 11, 2021, 5:42 pm

McGurk joined Biden's NSC: Another nightmare for Erdogan

zara saleh

The former American special envoy for the global coalition to defeat Islamic State, Brett McGurk has been appointed to join the U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's team. Brett McGurk will be among the National Security Council as senior director for the Middle East and North Africa. In other words, this new McGurk's position is highly important in terms of US military presence in Syria and expected to become a big concern for President Erdogan.

Despite the fact that the return of Brett McGurk as a director of NSC that do not allow him a direct role in Syria as he was in his previous post a special envoy under Obama's administration. It will be the most concern and challenge for Turkey. Firstly, McGurk is well-known as staunch ally and the most pro-Kurdish US diplomat with the new-elected President Joe Biden, and he was against Turkey's policy and occupation in northeast Syria. Secondly, McGurk's resignation in December 2018 was over Donald Trump's decision to withdraw US troops from northeast Syria; additionally, Turkey with Syrian mercenaries launched a military offensive against the US allies the Kurdish Democratic Forces (SDF) that led to the more Turkish occupation. Added to that, the new Middle East coordinator on the National Security Council B. McGurk has criticized the Erdogan's policy on Syria and especially against Kurds, and even he accused Erdogan on harbouring the IS leader by asking "How exactly was Baghdadi living in a safe house with well-prepared tunnels less than 5km from your border?".

After the announcement of B. McGurk in the new appointed NSC's Cabinet, the Turkish officials were disappointed regarding the rise of tension with US and said, "McGurk has harmed Turkish-American relations" and they accused him in supporting the Kurdish forces. On the other hand, the Kurds are more optimistic and welcoming back the returning McGurk's new position that, definitely, will strengthening the Kurdish-American relations, and preventing more Turkish attacks on Kurds. Furthermore, during former US president Obama/Biden administration, the former special envoy to defeat IS Brett McGurk has played an essential role in providing military support for Kurdish fighters and the Syrian Democratic Forces and has built a strong relationship with Kurds.

Arguably, under the new-elected US President Joe Biden's administration and the newly appointed coordinator for the Middle East and Syria Brett McGurk, the Kurds are expecting more military presence and support from the US. Bringing stability to the Kurdish-controlled region will be the main Kurdish concern and hope simultaneously with protecting the region from Turkish threats as well as from Russia and Assad's regime forces whose attempts repeatedly to take control of the area of Ayn Issa and various other places.

Zara Saleh

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.