The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation turned 70 on April 4 and, to mark the occasion, leaders of its 29 member states were scheduled to convene in Washington to mark the occasion. But invitations were downgraded to foreign ministers, reportedly amid fears that Donald Trump would further attack the alliance. When Nato began life in 1949, it was seen as the cornerstone of defence against the Soviet Union. Since then, the world’s strongest military alliance has been a key deterrent to foreign incursions in Europe and North America. Nevertheless, Mr Trump has been a vocal critic, calling the organisation “obsolete” and pointing out that wealthy members such as Germany fail to share the financial burden of Nato. The truth is that Nato is as important and necessary now as it was before the collapse of the Soviet Union, not least for the Middle East.
Today, Russia remains a preoccupation of the alliance – especially after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 which sparked an ongoing war in the east of Ukraine. But its influence also extends to this region, where it has bulwarked the Syrian government, a regime notorious for its brutality and ties to Iran. Meanwhile, Turkey’s membership of Nato since 1952 has traditionally helped bridge the gap between east and west, supporting Middle East stability. Today, ties between the US and Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdogan are rapidly deteriorating, pushing Ankara towards Moscow and endangering the Nato alliance at large. The latest dispute concerns Turkey’s refusal to back down over a high-profile arms deal with Russia, while it simultaneously participates in Nato’s F-35 jet fighter programme. At the same time, US allies in Syria, chiefly the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, have found themselves under threat from Turkish assault.
With a vocal US leadership lacking faith in the alliance, and Turkey – its second-largest army – turning towards Russia, these are tough times for Nato. And yet it faces a host of complex threats, not least the growing dominion of China around the world. Beijing’s sphere of influence has reached Europe – where Italy is set to join President Xi Jinping’s landmark Belt and Road Initiative – and North America, where telecommunications company Huawei has sparked fears of cyber espionage. In response, the US and its allies are cognisant of the need to maintain a united front. Although Nato has its share of shortcomings, it remains a vital tool for military co-operation. Ahead of the summit, US Vice President Mike Pence reaffirmed America’s commitment, while German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas vowed his nation would invest the required two per cent of GDP in defence. Other nations should follow suit. Nato’s core mission might have shifted, but co-ordinated action between the US and Europe remains central to peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
1st Test July 26-30 in Galle
2nd Test August 3-7 in Colombo
3rd Test August 12-16 in Pallekele
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.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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New schools in Dubai
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 (Tosun 9', Doucoure 93')
Rotherham United 1 (Olosunde 56')
Man of the Match Olosunde (Rotherham)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
The%20specs
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets