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The Spectre of the Dirty Bomb

Putin's military chief, Sergei Shoigu, has been hitting the phones somewhat surprisingly engaging with his military counterparts in the UK, USA and France. His central message was that Ukraine's military is planning some sort of attack using a conventional explosive that includes radioactive material, but is not a nuclear weapon, since Ukraine doesn't possess nuclear weapons
In response Paris, Washington and London issued a joint statement claiming that “our countries made clear that we all reject Russia’s transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory. The world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation. We further reject any pretext for escalation by Russia”
There is little doubt that we are in a phase of deep uncertainty and escalation in the Ukraine war. The combination of Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive, Russia’s annexing referenda’s and partial mobilisation, kamikaze drones attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and an impending battle for Kherson, the only city that Moscow has managed to capture, all happening in the weeks before a Ukrainian winter supposedly puts events into a deep freeze.
Added into this toxic mix is more and more talk of the use of nuclear weapons and now the prospect of a ‘dirty bomb’. So what is such a device and what was a senior Russian official talking about it supposed to achieve? A dirty bomb has no exact definition but is essentially a hybrid device that signals a willingness to escalate and go far beyond the rules and norm of conventional war but that exists below the threshold for a nuclear conflict.
If one were to be used the threat of radiation, particularly to vulnerable civilian groups unequipped with protective equipment, could likely sow mass panic if used near population centres. The narrative Shoigu was suggested was that such a device would be exploded on Ukrainian controlled territory as a means of persuading further Western military support to Kiev. The alternative thesis is that it would be a ‘false flag’ attack, a concept much talked about but seldom seen on a large scale whereby violence becomes theatre and a chance to incriminate your enemy through your own actions.
By rejecting the possibility of Kiev committing such a tactic, have the Western states called Moscow’s bluff or make it more likely for such a device to be used and for the predicted blame to be apportioned regardless of the evidence? Let us not forget that there was not much in the form of actual evidence of the referendums being welcomed by a supportive population in the East of Ukraine but that didn’t stop Russia claiming a overwhelming mandate. Truth or facts only matter so much within the narratives of Russia’s way of war.
Yet the use of a dirty bomb would certainly escalate what is already a devastatingly costly conflict for both sides and for the world far beyond. It may not change any immediate part of the equation in the short term beyond those it kills and forces from their homes. However, it would signal further loosening of restraints in a conflict already marked by supposedly over 35,000 war crimes and counting.
Its use, if clearly ascribed to Moscow, would also pose the question as to what Ukraine’s allies would do in response. The rumour around any use of Russian nuclear weapons is that the US has committed to destroy Russia’s conventional forces fighting within Ukraine. A dirty bomb whose fingerprints are not as obvious as a fully nuclear device could lead to a number of things ranging from a vast increase in arms support (both quantities and types) or even more drastic attempts to isolate Russia economically.
Essentially it would pour fuel over a raging fire and make the prospect of nuclear weapons use, already the highest since the “Cuban Missile Crisis” according to US President Biden, even more likely. It would reflect Russia’s desperation but also its commitment to use escalation as a tactic of extracting itself from its mistakes made to date. It would mark a new and dangerous chapter in the story of human warfare and we’d all be the worse off from living in a time when such a device is considered a weapon to use.
BY: James Denselow
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
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