Last week, during an online policy roundtable meeting of the Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, made several remarkable comments.
With respect to the likelihood of Iran resorting to military escalation in the Gulf to send a message to the United States and deflect attention away from impending domestic unrest, Dr Gargash said: “I think we need to really concentrate on de-escalation.” He advocated managing foreign policy constructively and pragmatically, focusing on “internal priorities [that] are not necessarily political, but have a political impact”.
More from Raghida Dergham
Dr Gargash declined to issue warnings or accusations targeting Tehran. Instead, he insisted on a message of de-escalation between Washington and Arab capitals on one side and Tehran on the other. The regional and international implications of these pronouncements are interesting.
The policy meeting was themed Stability Redefined and was also attended by Prince Turki Al Faisal, the former Saudi Arabian intelligence chief; General David Petraeus, former commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan; and Andrei Fedorov, Russia's former deputy foreign minister.
I moderated the panel, as founder and executive chair of the Beirut Institute. The interesting and illuminating discussion tackled US-Chinese relations, the implications of US-Iranian escalation, the Russian position on Syria and Iran and the economic and labour reforms necessary for the post-Covid-19 era.
But first, it was necessary to get up to speed on recent developments.
Germany’s decision to ban Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, from its soil have caught not just the group's leadership off guard, but also the Lebanese government that is under its yoke and acts as its technocratic front. Washington, which influenced the German decision, has moved quickly to persuade other European countries to adopt similar measures.
On Iran directly, US President Donald Trump's administration this week moved on two important levels. First, Mr Trump vetoed the Congress’s Iran War Powers resolution. With that the White House has formally rejected any restriction on the president's powers to launch military action against Iran, characterising Congress’s resolution as "very insulting".
Mr Trump further noted that the assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani has not led to Iranian escalation against the US. This is remarkable because the mood in Tehran suggests that its retaliation is simply delayed, not shelved.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash insisted on a message of de-escalation between Washington and Tehran
Second, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged to use every tool at America’s disposal to enforce the UN Security Council's arms embargo on Tehran and to stop it from procuring more weapons. And regardless of whether Washington succeeds at the Security Council or is thwarted by a Russian or Chinese veto, US sanctions could still dissuade any third party from selling arms to Iran.
Despite this, the Trump administration has extended sanctions waivers for Iraq to import gas and electricity from Iran, announced by Mr Pompeo as he welcomed the formation of a new government in Iraq under Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi.
At the Beirut Summit policy circle, Gen Petraeus said there is no question that Iran has been the source of provocation. “Regardless of the pandemic," he said, "Iran's long-term objective is unchanged. It is hegemony over the Shia crescent and the Lebanonisation of Iraq and Syria." But he was also of the view that no matter how hard Iran tried to impose its model in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, “They're in a very, very difficult situation as they are being crushed by economic sanctions, their economy is in free fall, the currency's devalued, unemployment is vastly higher, they've mismanaged every aspect of the economy [including water] and now they have completely mismanaged the response to the pandemic”.
In light of all of this, Gen Petraeus continued: “I don't think that they want to provoke war with the United States…they know that the United States has improved its defence [and] surrounded them [with] Patriots and other air and ballistic missile defences."
Concerning the chances for diplomacy, Gen Petraeus said they are dim between now and the US election in November, but said: “I've actually suggested some modest outreach to try to reduce the tension, but it would not be something very significant and then after the election we'll see whether or not there is the possibility of some kind of initiative”.
Prince Turki said the whole world, not just the Gulf, was responsible for meeting “this challenge of Iranian extra-territorial ambitions and trying to throw on others what it should be dealing with in its own turf”. He added: “I think [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has been on the wrong side of history in supporting Bashar Al Assad,” noting that Russian and Chinese vetoes at the UN have brought Syria to the situation it is in today.
For his part, Mr Fedorov said that all countries will be weaker, less stable and more preoccupied with their internal problems in a way that will impact their foreign policies. Concerning the standoff between the US and China, he said: “I'm absolutely sure that the US will come out [of the coronavirus pandemic] much stronger than China” and would build a coalition against China with little chance for a common language between them.
Mr Fedorov predicted serious turmoil in Iran and Afghanistan next month, saying his sources in Iran indicate the country is entering the last stage of partial stability, as the economic situation is rapidly deteriorating and the citizens are increasingly restless. This, he said, could push the Iranian leadership to conclude the only way out of a domestic crisis is to manufacture an external one, with the United States, possibly as early as late May or June.
Mr Fedorov also poured cold water on reports that Mr Putin wants to get rid of Mr Al Assad. Concerning the political process in Syria, he said that the Russian point of view is that the only solution in Syria is to help the Assad regime take control of the entire country, including by doubling Russian military assistance, especially in Idlib. He said that “Iran is taking more and more control over Syria, and Russia is not capable” of tackling this except by helping Mr Assad take control over all the country.
Returning to Dr Gargash’s comments repeating the need for de-escalation in the region, he said nations must be allowed to focus on the hurricane caused by the coronavirus pandemic and rethink development models. He pointed out that labour market imbalances have emerged as a key issue, despite it being premature to restructure them now. “I would say that the [Middle East], like all regions in the world, is going to be financially and politically weaker. I think we will be wise to think about our development models about de-escalation and to try some problem solving”.
Raghida Dergham is the founder and executive chairwoman of the Beirut Institute
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Pathaan
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
FA CUP FINAL
Manchester City 6
(D Silva 26', Sterling 38', 81', 87', De Bruyne 61', Jesus 68')
Watford 0
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Company%20profile
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The%20specs
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The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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