An exhibition, calling for an end to executions in Iran, in Trafalgar Square on October 10, 2020 in London, England. The exhibition, held by Anglo-Iranian communities in the UK, marked the World Day against the Death Penalty. Getty Images
Qassem Suleimani, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General and commander of the Quds Force. A US strike killed the top Iranian commander and the deputy head of Iraq's PMU military force at Baghdad's airport early on January 3, 2019. AFP
A destroyed vehicle on fire following a US strike on January 3, 2020 on Baghdad international airport road in which top Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani was killed along with eight others, including the deputy head of Iraq's powerful PMU paramilitary force. AFP
Iranian people attend a funeral procession for Iranian Major-General Qassem Suleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in Tehran, Iran January 6, 2020. Reuters
Mourners attend a funeral ceremony for Iranian General Qassem Suleimani. The processions mark the first time Iran honoured a single man with a multi-city ceremony. Not even Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who founded the Islamic Republic, received such a processional with his death in 1989. AP
Rockets launched from Iran against the US military base in Ein-al Asad in Iraq, on January 8, 2020, days after the General Qassem Suleimani was killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad. EPA
One year after Suleimani's killing, Iran refuses to learn its lessons
Instead of ending its aggressive approach to both the US and its neighbours in the Middle East, the regime has chosen to maintain its bellicose attitude
To judge from the wild claims that have been emanating from Tehran, as the country marks the first anniversary of the assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani, the regime has learnt nothing from the demise of its leader.
From Hossein Salami, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to the country's foreign minister, Mohamad Javad Zarif, key regime figures have been lining up to make provocative New Year statements that will serve only to deepen Tehran's isolation from most of the world.
Speaking at an inspection of Iranian troops stationed on occupied Abu Musa island, Mr Salami warned that Iran is ready to match any aggression by the US with decisive and firm blows, while Mr Zarif accused departing US President Donald Trump of threatening Iran after Washington deployed B-52 strategic bombers to the region ahead of the anniversary of Suleimani's killing at Baghdad airport last year.
Mr Trump authorised the American military build-up after US intelligence officials reported that there were indications that Iran was planning an attack on American interests and allies in Iraq to avenge the killing of the Quds Force head. In addition to sending B-52s to the Gulf, Washington has also deployed submarines equipped with cruise missiles.
Last month, the US accused Iran-backed militias of being responsible for a series of rocket attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad, prompting Mr Trump to threaten Iran directly on Twitter. “We hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq,” the President tweeted. “Some friendly health advice to Iran: if one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over.”
This prompted Mr Zarif to accuse the Trump administration of seeking to provoke a war with Tehran before Mr Trump’s presidency draws to a close later this month.
“Instead of fighting Covid in the US, [Donald Trump] & cohorts waste billions to fly B-52s & send armadas to OUR region,” the foreign minister tweeted. “Intelligence from Iraq indicates plot to FABRICATE pretext for war. Iran doesn’t seek war but will OPENLY & DIRECTLY defend its people, security & vital interests.”
Irrespective of whether there is any truth to the suggestions that Mr Trump is spoiling for a fight with Tehran in the dying days of his administration, there has certainly been a significant escalation of tensions in the region, not least because of Iran’s provocative action over its nuclear programme.
At a time when President-elect Joe Biden has indicated that he wants to revive the controversial nuclear deal with Iran, the regime has responded by announcing that it is now aiming to enrich uranium to 20 per cent, a blatant breach of its undertakings under the nuclear deal and a move which will significantly enhance Iran's ability to acquire weapons grade nuclear material.
The move represents a significant escalation in Tehran’s increasingly contemptuous attitude towards what remains of the nuclear deal, and makes the prospect of the incoming Biden administration being able to re-engage in a constructive dialogue with Iran increasingly unlikely.
On one level, it is easy to understand why key regime figures in Tehran are so keen to start the new year by seeking to intensify their hostile rhetoric towards the US and its allies.
So far as the hardliners are concerned, the Iranian leadership will look back at 2020 as a year to forget. It got off to a disastrous start with the assassination of Suleimani, a close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was personally responsible for overseeing the expansion of Iran's malign influence throughout the Middle East.
In Syria, Suleimani was personally responsible for helping to keep the Assad regime in power, and played a critical role in persuading Russia to launch its military intervention in support of President Bashar Al Assad, a move that proved vital to keeping his regime in power.
In addition, Suleimani was responsible for creating the network of Iranian-sponsored militias in Iraq as part of Tehran’s attempts to exert its hegemony over its political establishment. Suleimani’s other achievements included providing arms and funding to Yemen’s Houthi rebels and helping Hezbollah to become the dominant force in Lebanese politics.
Suleimani’s killing, therefore, represented a significant setback for the hardline supporters of Mr Khamenei, as it deprived the regime of its most effective and accomplished operator in terms of expanding Iranian influence throughout the region.
Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, gives a speech during a ceremony in Tehran January 1, 2021 as part of commemorations of the killing of his predecessor, Qassem Suleimani in a US attack one year ago. West Asia News Agency via Reuters
An Iranian woman holds a picture of Qassem Suleimani during the commemoration ceremony in Tehran, Iran January 1, 2021. West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Mourners react during the commemoration Qassem Suleimani's assassination. West Asia News Agency via Reuters
A photo of Qassem Suleimani is placed on a chairs during the commemoration of his assassination. West Asia News Agency via Reuters
An image grab taken from a broadcast by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting on October 1, 2019 shows Qassem Suleimani speaking during an interview with members of the Iranian supreme leader's bureau in Tehran. IRIB TV / AFP
Ebrahim Raisi, head of Iran's judiciary, gives a speech during the ceremony at Tehran University to mark the one year anniversary of the killing of Qassem Suleimani. West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Guests attend the commemoration ceremony for Qassem Suleimani in Tehran on January 1, 2021. AFP
Qassem Suleimani's daughter, Zeinab, attends the commemoration ceremony. West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Iranian judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi speaks during the ceremony. AFP
Apart from Suleimani’s demise, the regime has also had to contend with the crippling impact of the Trump administration’s sanctions on the Iranian economy, with the rial losing more than half of its value, and both unemployment and inflation running well above 20 per cent.
With a new round of presidential elections due to take place in June, regime hardliners are keen to steer the political narrative in Iran away from their own shortcomings and concentrate instead on blaming the outside world for all their problems. At the same time, the regime is continuing to undertake a number of highly provocative acts that are guaranteed to increase tensions with Washington. For example, apart from increasing uranium enrichment to 20 per cent, it was recently revealed that Hezbollah has doubled the arsenal of advanced guided missiles it keeps trained on Israel.
Consequently, rather than learning any lessons from Suleimani’s demise and ending Tehran’s aggressive approach to both the US and its neighbours in the Middle East, the regime has decided to maintain its bellicose attitude, ensuring that Iran continues to present a threat to the outside world that should be reckoned with.
Con Coughlin is a defence and foreign affairs columnist for The National
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'
Bournemouth 1
Wilson 44'
Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
John Cena v Triple H
Matches to be announced
WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, United States Championship and the Cruiserweight Championship are all due to be defended
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War:an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
Indian construction workers stranded in Ajman with unpaid dues
Tips for job-seekers
Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Milkman by Anna Burns
Ordinary People by Diana Evans
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Circe by Madeline Miller
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
