The Munich Security Conference opens this weekend with talks expected on issues ranging from the threat to western liberal values to the coronavirus outbreak and US actions in the Middle East.
The annual conference prides itself on being a venue for diplomatic initiatives on some of the world's most pressing concerns.
Read more: follow the latest news from the event here.
What is the conference?
The MSC offers a protected space for informal meetings between officials. The conference regularly convenes high-profile events from across the spectrum of society on particular topics and regions and publishes the Munich Security Report, an annual digest of relevant figures, maps and research on crucial security challenges.
The conference assembles more than 450 senior decision-makers and thought leaders including heads of state, ministers and personalities from international and non-governmental organisations, industry, media, academia and civil society, to engage in intensive debate.
When will it be held?
The conference will take place from February 14 to February 16 in Munich, Germany where it has been held for the past 56 years.
Why is the conference prominent?
The MSC has transatlantic and European roots but its activities aim to reflect a globalised world, debating the planet's most relevant security challenges.
What are the topics being discussed?
Would the United States use military force to defend a Nato ally? Should European Union countries work together more closely on defence? Is the world facing a "perfect storm" of climate change coupled with security threats? Many questions will be asked and discussions had but here are four themes that will be prevalent at the MSC.
A less 'western' world
The authors of the Munich Security Report, the document that sets the tone for the conference, write of "westlessness", the idea that the planet in general and western countries in particular are uncertain of their values and their strategic orientation.
While there is a perception of the West being under threat from "liberal internationalism", the report's finding that "it is precisely the rise of 'illiberalism' and the return of nationalism that put the West at risk" will be just as concerning for some of the conference's attendees.
The authors note that "increasing western reluctance to engage in violent conflicts abroad does not mean that these conflicts disappear".
How this theme is taken will be interesting as non-western attendees will think of the West's interventions and adventurism over the past two decades.
European assertiveness?
The rise of populist nationalism in the EU is raising concerns about Europe turning inwards, embracing "provincialisation" and becoming less engaged with the rest of the world. The EU is the world's largest market, and a breakdown of that market would have untold ramifications.
The urgency of dealing with the challenge of migration through Libya across the Mediterranean Sea and from other conflicts like in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan will be a topic, along with Russian engagement due to it being an economic partner and having historical and geographical links.
A more assertive EU and a decoupling from the US, Britain's exit and the collective defence of non-Russian Europe under Nato's Article 5 are all up for discussion.
These issues are giving rise to a reshaping of co-ordination between Europe's military, led by France and Germany.
As the authors of the Munich Security Report put it: "Nato and the European Union are struggling ... For both of them, the rise of 'illiberalism' in its member states presents huge challenges."
Balkan nations are also strongly represented in Munich, so prospects for future EU enlargement will be hotly discussed as the bloc's officials have reaffirmed their intention to incorporate all these countries.
Changing geometry
The changing geometry of global power with China demarcating its territory over the entirety of the South China Sea, the trade war with the US, the coronavirus outbreak that threatens supply chains and concerns over Hong Kong and Chinese telecoms firm Huawei will be discussed.
The Korean Peninsula and North Korea's regime blaming the US for failing to show flexibility in the nuclear talks is another topic.
Taking the temperature
This year, according to the Munich Security Report, is "a prime opportunity to take the temperature of not just the state of international peace and security in general but of the West in particular".
There will be a survey taken on a host of topics: Is our data safe? Can energy security and climate security be reconciled? Where is or what is multiculturalism's future?
Actions such as the US assassination in January of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani and Donald Trump's newly revealed peace plan for the Middle East will be hot topics, bellwethers to gauge the direction of US foreign policy thinking.
Who are some of the attendees?
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar
The Turkish defence minister will be getting involved in sideline discussions over Turkey's power projections in Libya and Syria as well as its relations with the EU and China's Belt and Road initiative.
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper
The US defence secretary will have some questions to answer about his president's decision to assassinate Suleimani as well as US actions throughout Western Asia.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani
The Afghan president comes to the MSC after saying peace negotiations between the Taliban and the US are making progress. After two decades of fighting the insurgents control nearly half the country, so what will happen when international forces pull out?
World Health Organisation Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
The WHO director has his hands full with the latest epidemic to affect the human species, having a zoonotic beginning. The coronavirus is affecting business, supply chains, daily life, travel and may even be being politicised.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al Hakim
Iraq's foreign minister will have a great deal to talk about, from the protests against the government and Iranian and US influence to the assassinations of Suleimani and militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis and the Iraqi parliament voting for all foreign troops to leave the country.
Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
India's foreign minister will carry concerns over volatility with Pakistan, citizenship-law protests, escalation over Kashmir, and also the Indo-Pacific strategy and India's place in Asia alongside China.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Russia's foreign minister will be busy engaging with Turkish officials over Syria while also discussing ongoing western sanctions on his country and the possibility of re-engagement or a reset with Europe.
German Foreign Affairs Minister Heiko Maas and and Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
Both ministers will underline the importance of Germany's position to EU policies, military integration, EU assertiveness and relations with the US, Russia and China.
French President Emmanuel Macron
The French president's efforts to begin steering the EU now that Britain has left, resisting US President Donald Trump's tariffs and economic sabre-rattling, pushing EU reforms and power projection, and France's involvement in francophone Africa and the Sahel are all expected to come up for discussion.
Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi
Isolated at the edge of East Asia, the Japanese minister is likely to raise concerns over China and North Korea, and address those regarding the decision to deploy its armed forces abroad – a highly controversial issue back home.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
The secretary of state will no doubt come to the conference as a controversial figure for his approach to Iran, China and a host of other subjects, not to mention his role in the Middle East peace plan.
Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi
Tensions with Taiwan, protests in Hong Kong, a trade war the US, unilateral claims over the South China Sea, internment of Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang province, the viral outbreak, investment in Africa and Asia –China's foreign minister is not short of topics to address.
Iranian Minister Foreign Affairs Mohammed Javad Zarif
What will Iran do? How to save the 2015 nuclear deal? How to integrate Iran? The Iranian foreign minister comes to the MSC with many discussions before him at a time when Iran has just lost its leading military commander.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The details
Colette
Director: Wash Westmoreland
Starring: Keira Knightley, Dominic West
Our take: 3/5
RESULTS
Bantamweight title:
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) bt Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
(KO round 2)
Catchweight 68kg:
Sean Soriano (USA) bt Noad Lahat (ISR)
(TKO round 1)
Middleweight:
Denis Tiuliulin (RUS) bt Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
(TKO round 1)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) bt Joachim Tollefsen (DEN)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 68kg:
Austin Arnett (USA) bt Daniel Vega (MEX)
(TKO round 3)
Lightweight:
Carrington Banks (USA) bt Marcio Andrade (BRA)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 58kg:
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) bt Malin Hermansson (SWE)
(Submission round 2)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (CAN) bt Juares Dea (CMR)
(Split decision)
Middleweight:
Mohamad Osseili (LEB) bt Ivan Slynko (UKR)
(TKO round 1)
Featherweight:
Tarun Grigoryan (ARM) bt Islam Makhamadjanov (UZB)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 54kg:
Mariagiovanna Vai (ITA) bt Daniella Shutov (ISR)
(Submission round 1)
Middleweight:
Joan Arastey (ESP) bt Omran Chaaban (LEB)
(Unanimous decision)
Welterweight:
Bruno Carvalho (POR) bt Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
(TKO)
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
T20 SQUADS
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shinwari, Hassan Ali, Imad Wasim, Waqas Maqsood, Faheem Ashraf.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
ACC 2019: The winners in full
Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia
Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi
Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia
Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki
Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky
Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
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