El señor Juan tiene 83 años y dos pisos. Según Podemos, es un especulador y un fondo buitre. Trabajó 45 años en una fábrica y, ahorrando toda su vida, se compró un piso y heredó otro de sus padres, ya fallecidos. Este último lo alquiló para que la pensión le llegara a fin de mes. Paga IBI, comunidad, seguro y el arreglo de la caldera cuando peta, por duplicado.
Según el Banco de España, es el casero típico: el 92 % del alquiler está en manos de particulares como él. Los fondos, el 8 %. Pero en el relato de Sánchez y Podemos, Juan no existe. Existe el «fondo buitre». Así que le ponen tope al alquiler, le alargan el contrato a la fuerza y le explican que especula. Si el inquilino deja de pagar, Juan, que espere.
Total, es un rentista. Al otro lado, Nico, 26 años. No trabaja, no busca y ha decidido que el piso de Juan le corresponde. Entra, cambia la cerradura y cuelga una pancarta: «La vivienda es un derecho, no un negocio». En la tele sale como víctima del mercado. El ministro habla de ilegalizar a los «desgraciados» fondos. Nadie pregunta de quién es la casa.
Meses después, el piso sale del mercado. Juan lo deja vacío o lo vende. Nico busca otro. Y el Gobierno, sorprendido, anuncia que hay que regular más a los fondos buitre. El 92 % de Juan aplaude desde el sofá. O mejor dicho, no aplaude: ya no alquila.
The UAE is not a different Islam. It is a strategic partner acting in its own interests.
It needs the jets, missile defense, intelligence, American protection, open ports, investment, and access to global finance.
Support for Palestine does not provide those strategic benefits. It may help the UAE manage public opinion, protect its regional standing, and respond to pressure from Arab and Muslim audiences, but it does not replace the security and economic advantages of working with Washington and Israel.
So the UAE issues statements supporting the Palestinians, sends humanitarian aid, makes the required public gestures, and then returns to business with Israel.
Because the regime comes first.
China when China is useful. Iran when tensions cool. America when American power serves its interests. Gulf rulers do not entrust their survival to one patron.
These relationships are transactions, not conversions.
Economic openness does not prove ideological transformation. Foreign workers, tourists, investors, and Western businesses are welcomed because they strengthen the economy. When will Americans start realizing polished image does not mean the underlying system has changed.
That is the purpose of the public relations campaign: influencers, cultural exchanges, television appearances, and carefully managed messaging make the government look familiar, “moderate”, and harmless. None of that proves the doctrine has changed.
The Abraham Accords are political agreements. They do not erase the conflicts or beliefs that existed before them.
So judge these governments by what they do, not by how they market themselves.
Work with them when it serves our interests. Sell them what serves our interests. But keep your eyes open and can we please stop pretending they are our friends.
Do not confuse cooperation with conversion. Do not confuse better marketing with fundamental change.
Eyes open, then make the transaction. Eyes shut, and you become the transaction.
When exactly will the West learn?! There is one Islam, one Quran, and one Muhammad. All three command that non-Muslims be fought and subdued until they convert, pay tribute in submission, or are conquered, and that the world be brought under Islamic rule.
The UAE wants this too!