The biggest issue with US foreign policy right now is that friends and allies find themselves lacking assurance of its coherence and continuity while adversaries are fully betting on this weakness as they develop their strategies.
The internal division in the US between the camp of Republican president Donald Trump and the camp of Democratic former president Barack Obama is bitter to the point that Americans in general now distrust each other in a very unhealthy way.
And the foreign policy implications of the divergent doctrines of the two presidents have split the Middle East itself into two polarised sides. The Obama-philes are led by Iran, which benefited greatly from the former president’s fixation on concluding a nuclear deal at any cost and effectively gave it the tools to execute its projects for regional expansion.
The second camp is led by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, which together believe “Obama-ism” produced the most antagonistic US policy towards them to date, deliberately marginalising and sidelining them – and even destabilising them, at least from Egypt’s point of view, as Mr Obama and Hillary Clinton were accused of boosting the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo.
Today Mr Trump has a clear stated policy to curb and contain Iran and its allies, such as Lebanese Hezbollah. His official strategy has overturned Mr Obama’s on the Arab Gulf countries and Egypt, reinstating them as strategic allies.
However, chronic American inconsistency has in the end reassured those same foes and left US allies anxious, including the Gulf states. Now some are calling for self-reliance, with limited reliance on the US, to avoid the fallout from the America’s incoherent policies.
For its part, Iran is pursuing patience as a policy, watching out for the smallest details, including in the important appointments in the US State Department, which is known for its Democratic sympathies.
So when news leaks of a meeting between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ambassador David Hale, a career diplomat sympathetic to Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton's policies, questions immediately emerge about what the Trump administration has in mind and the seriousness of its threats to Iran and Hezbollah. If the rumours are true about Mr Pompeo's intention to appoint Mr Hale as undersecretary for political affairs, this could mean that the Trump administration wants to give Iran a proposal similar to the one given to North Korea.
According to informed sources, Mr Pompeo has offered Mr Hale the same post that was occupied by Thomas Shannon. Unconfirmed reports say Mr Hale has accepted in principle but the final decision rests with Mr Pompeo. While sources say Mr Hale is not the only name being considered, he seems to be the most serious contender.
What we know about Mr Pompeo is that his interests and passion are not focused on the Middle East but rather, that he is keen on what is known in Washington circles as the grand prize, namely North Korea and China. According to talk in Washington, he has presidential ambitions and has been advised that his success as secretary of state is instrumental to them. Since the pool of talents among Republicans in the State Department remains inadequate, while the most experienced diplomats happen to be Democrats loyal to the policies championed by Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton, he has to adapt.
However, this would mean Mr Pompeo could diverge from the decisions of the Trump White House. Indeed, those loyal to Mr Obama are therefore loyal to the nuclear deal with Iran and Mr Obama’s approach to the Arab Gulf states, which Mr Trump flatly rejects.
Mr Hale is a veteran diplomat with a lot of experience in the Middle East, serving as ambassador to Pakistan after postings in Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UN. He also served as undersecretary working on Israel, Egypt and as envoy for Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, succeeding George Mitchell.
In Lebanon, Mr Hale is known as a shrewd architect who helped convince Prime Minister Saad Al Hariri to agree to a deal to restore him to power with Hezbollah ally Suleiman Franjieh as president. This deal was accepted by Hezbollah but with a modification, replacing Mr Franjieh with current president Michel Aoun, a closer ally.
At the time, there was a belief that Mrs Clinton would become president and that the US’s Middle Eastern policy would continue down the path laid down by Mr Obama, especially with regard to the nuclear deal - but then Mr Trump became president.
The US State Department under Mr Obama sought to distinguish between Hezbollah’s political and military arms, in line with the approach used with the IRA during negotiations with Britain on Northern Ireland.
There would be nothing wrong with the fact that Mr Hale or US ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, are faithful to Mr Obama’s policies if he was still president or if Mr Trump had chosen to continue his predecessor’s policies. The problem is with the contradictory messages coming from the Trump administration. On the one hand, Mr Pompeo has made 12 demands of Iran while Mr Trump threatened unprecedented sanctions on the regime in Tehran and Hezbollah. On the other hand, the Trump administration is keeping Mr Obama’s ambassadors while Mr Pompeo seems to have picked a veteran Obama camp diplomat for the third highest post in the State Department – and second most important job in terms of foreign policy.
The question here is this: is Mr Trump pursuing a good cop, bad cop routine because he wants to ultimately woo rather than strongarm Iran? Or is there a schizophrenic dynamic between the White House and the State Department?
The least the Republicans in the US and Gulf leaders, especially in Saudi Arabia, can do about this is to ask for an explanation. Iran and its partners no doubt welcome this confusing ambiguity but the US national interest and the interests of its allies require this ambiguity not to be deliberate, unless Washington really wants to confuse both foes and friends because its incoherence and inconsistency are now a feature, not a bug.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
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U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya Shetty, Kai Smith
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 6
08.00-15.00 Technical scrutineering
15.00-17.00 Extra free practice
Friday, December 7
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 1
15.30 BRM F1 qualifying
Saturday, December 8
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 2
15.30 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo
Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 28
Sector: Financial services
Investment: $9.5m
Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
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Profile Idealz
Company: Idealz
Founded: January 2018
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Size: (employees): 22
Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC