People take part in a US presidential election campaign event in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday. While the American public will focus on domestic bread-and-butter issues, foreign policy has already inserted itself into the dynamics of the contest. Bloomberg
People take part in a US presidential election campaign event in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday. While the American public will focus on domestic bread-and-butter issues, foreign policy has already inserted itself into the dynamics of the contest. Bloomberg
People take part in a US presidential election campaign event in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday. While the American public will focus on domestic bread-and-butter issues, foreign policy has already inse
Raghida Dergham is the founder and executive chairwoman of the Beirut Institute, and a columnist for The National
July 07, 2024
The chaos within the Democratic Party after US President Joe Biden’s frailties came to light during his debate with former president Donald Trump has been alarming. The absence of a Plan B, given Mr Biden’s age and declining physical and cognitive abilities, is baffling and worrisome – especially with the US being the only truly global superpower.
However, even as Mr Biden doubles down on his candidacy, there are a number of alternatives in the field, such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The figure who tops the list of contenders, however, is Vice President Kamala Harris.
But Ms Harris has certain limitations. Traditionally, except for a few exceptions, the US vice president does not engage in direct governance. Ms Harris, in particular, has been on the outside looking in. Indeed, she has few friends in Mr Biden’s inner circle and has been sidelined.
She has been publicly mocked for having little administrative experience; for being ignorant of global politics; and for not having enough leadership skills. But those who are more sympathetic towards her have accused the Biden team of not adequately preparing her for the top job.
Popular support for Ms Harris has increased in recent days. But if the disarray among Democrats continues, it will no doubt benefit the Republican Party. And while the American public will focus on domestic bread-and-butter issues, foreign policy has already inserted itself into the dynamics of the presidential election, particularly the war in Ukraine, Israel’s war on Gaza and a looming war in Lebanon.
It’s frightening that discussions about nuclear weapons no longer invoke the same sense of dread and terror.
If Russia, for example, were to use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine, there will no doubt be outcry and anger, but it won’t instil fear in millions worldwide. However, if Moscow were to resort to tactical nuclear weapons against targets within Nato member countries, it could escalate into a terrifying thermonuclear war, possibly transitioning from tactical to strategic nuclear warfare.
If Mr Biden’s initiative to end the Gaza conflict and prevent war between Israel and Hezbollah fails, the Middle East should brace itself
This week, there has been increased talk about a change in Iran’s nuclear doctrine by officials testing the seriousness of the threat if a major war between Israel and Hezbollah breaks out in Lebanon. But Iranian leaders appear not to be concerned about Israel destroying Lebanese infrastructure. Their priority is Hezbollah and its weapons stockpile. Even this is secondary to their priority concern, that Israel’s war with Hezbollah doesn’t affect Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The Biden administration effectively saved Iran’s nuclear weapons programme two months ago, when the so-far only direct confrontation between Iran and Israel occurred. At the time, Washington warned Israel that it would be alone, without US support, if it ventured to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.
As to why the Biden administration did so, some theories suggest strategic collusion. Others claim that Mr Biden – like former president Barack Obama, under whom he served as vice president – believes that striking Iran’s nuclear reactors will only strengthen Tehran’s resolve to acquire nuclear weapons.
Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a visit to the shrine of the country's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Friday. Iran's nuclear ambitions are another concern for US security. Getty
But the regime that came to power in Tehran in 1979 is a theocratic system, which combines clerical figures and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, that is willing to endure crippling sanctions forthe sake of making their country a nuclear state and for the sake of developing regional militias to dominate and control Arab countries such as Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
All the rhetoric from Democratic Party leaders about not allowing Iran to become a nuclear state appears to be just hollow talk and equivocation. There appears to be a deal in place between Tehran and Washington that prevents the Americans from allowing Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear weapons programme and prevents serious opposition from Democrats against Iran’s regional militias, from Hezbollah to Hamas to the Popular Mobilisation Forces to the Houthis.
Yet a notable shift has occurred in the past two years, since China helped to mediate a reconciliation accord between Saudi Arabia and Iran, in part prompting the Biden administration to mend ties with Riyadh. Traditionally, there have been suspicions among Democrats towards key Arab powers. This has significantly changed over the past year.
And yet any surprises on this count from the Democratic Party during the presidential campaigns cannot be discounted.
If Mr Biden’s initiative to end the Gaza conflict and prevent an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah succeeds, he or his successor will benefit from such an achievement. But if it fails, the Middle East should brace for a new kind of war and rules of engagement.
It is conceivable for Tehran’s leaders to want the Democratic Party to retain power, especially given their bitter experience dealing with the erstwhile Trump administration. So keen they might be on Mr Biden’s re-election, or the election of another Democratic leader, that they may even temporarily restrain their militias until after the US election.
Additionally, the Iranian regime will be preoccupied with internal political battles after the election of a moderate figure like Dr Masoud Pezeshkian as president over the weekend, as well as with the future of their nuclear weapons programme. These concerns are also likely to force the regime to de-escalate until further notice.
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples. Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts. Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
