It was Henry Kissinger who once asked: "If I want to call Europe, who do I call?"
The modern day answer is Federica Mogherini, the European Commission High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security.
But like Mr Kissinger in the 1970s, any Iranian waiting for Ms Mogherini to address the country's violent protests will have found the EU lacking in a clear-cut voice.
A late night re-tweet from Brussels was the only attempt to engage with the worsening crisis, which began almost one week ago and has claimed the lives of at least 21 people.
“We have been in touch with the Iranian authorities," read the tweet. "We expect that the right to peaceful demonstration & freedom of expression will be guaranteed, following [Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s] public statements. We will continue to monitor the situation”.
Ms Mogherini was seemingly more concerned with highlighting her faith in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, when she released a list of her top priorities for 2018 on new year's day. While Donald Trump lashed out at the “brutal and corrupt” Iranian regime, Brussels appeared more troubled by the US president's stance on the agreement over Tehran’s capacity for violence.
“Iran is implementing the deal, as certified nine times by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The European Union – as a multilateral and reliable power – will continue to work for the deal to be implemented by all sides,” she wrote.
Germany has also adopted a quietist approach to the demonstrations, pleading with both sides not to escalate clashes into killing zones. “We appeal to the Iranian government to respect the rights of the demonstrators to assemble and to peacefully raise their voices,” Sigmar Gabriel, the acting foreign minister said. “After the confrontations of recent days, it is all the more important that all sides refrain from violent actions.”
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Read more:
Iran's Khamenei blames enemies for unrest as death toll rises to 21
Iran analysis: old grievances spark new protests
Editorial: The Iranian people’s patience runs out
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As Britain entered its last full year as an EU member – it is due to exit the bloc in March 2019 – observers are closely watching London for signs that its foreign policy is taking on an independent tone and outlook. Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has recently returned from an Iran trip, where he pressed the case for the release of the imprisoned British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. The Foreign Office privately acknowledged on Tuesday that pressure from the backbenches of the Conservative Party over the protests had been noted by policy makers.
Consequently the British diplomats have been more expansive in comments, marking a contrast with Europe's silence.
“The UK is watching events in Iran closely,” a statement from Mr Johnson said. “We believe that there should be meaningful debate about the legitimate and important issues the protesters are raising and we look to the Iranian authorities to permit this".
The British statement also sought to link the handling of events with international law. “We also believe that, particularly as we enter the 70th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, people should be able to have freedom of expression and to demonstrate peacefully within the law,” it said. “We regret the loss of life that has occurred in the protests in Iran, and call on all concerned to refrain from violence and for international obligations on human rights to be observed.”
Sir Richard Dalton, an ex-British ambassador in Tehran, praised Mr Johnson’s statement. “I think they’ve taken the right tone,” he said.
One of the most vocal on the matter has been Tom Tugenhat, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Commons. A former soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he has actively condemned Tehran’s resort to violence against peaceful demonstrators. “When we see Iranian demonstrators bravely standing up to tyranny we must stand with the people,” he said. “This regime has brutalised and murdered the people for generations.”
A former deputy head of the Downing St policy unit, Daniel Korksi urged Whitehall to give clear backing to ordinary citizens demanding change. “Being on the side of non-violent protestors against the world’s dictators, juntas and ayatollahs is the right place for the UK and the West to be,” he said.
Another Conservative backbench MP Robert Halfon called for imposition of punitive sanctions should there be a bloody crackdown. “True face of Iran: a regime that funds terrorist groups around the world, supports Assad and attacks it's own people protesting about living standards. #Bringbackfullsanctions,” he tweeted. “Iron fist threatened if unrest continues.”
France issued the following statement: “The French authorities are closely following the situation in Iran. The right to protest freely is a fundamental right. The same is true of the free flow of information. France expresses its concern at the large number of victims and arrests.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
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
Results
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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More on Palestine-Israeli relations
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Occupation: Key marker and auto electrician
Hometown: Ghazala, Syria
Date of arrival in Abu Dhabi: May 15, 1978
Family: 11 siblings, a wife, three sons and one daughter
Favourite place in UAE: Abu Dhabi
Favourite hobby: I like to do a mix of things, like listening to poetry for example.
Favourite Syrian artist: Sabah Fakhri, a tenor from Aleppo
Favourite food: fresh fish
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.