No Iranian official is better versed in western thinking than Iran's urbane new foreign minister, Mohammed Javad Zarif, a US-educated career diplomat, who is highly regarded by western officials and academics who have met him.
They view him as the ideal Iranian intermediary to ease tensions in the high-stakes dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme and to rebuild relations with the United States.
Mr Zarif helped draft a "grand bargain" proposal in 2003 that offered talks with the US on all the major issues dividing the two countries, including the nuclear file and the Arab-Israeli dispute.
That effort, which involved secret talks in Paris, Geneva and New York, was eventually spurned by the administration of then US president George W Bush.
Years earlier, as a junior diplomat, Mr Zarif was involved in negotiations to win the release of US hostages held by Iranian-backed gunmen in Lebanon.
In late 2001 he was instrumental in forging the compromises that led to the formation of a new government in Afghanistan after the US-led invasion toppled the Taliban regime following the September 11 attacks.
"He's a revolutionary but not an ideologue. He believes strongly in Iran's sovereignty and security but he's also someone who understands the West," said Hooman Majd, a New York-based Iranian-American author who knows Mr Zarif well. "He's charming, smart and has a great sense of humour. He's the best diplomat Iran has."
His appointment by Iran's moderate new president, Hassan Rouhani, was well received in the West, which was frustrated by eight years of grandstanding by Mr Rouhani's populist and pugnacious predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
There have been signals from Tehran that Mr Zarif, 54, will be given the additional role of leading the Iranian delegation in nuclear negotiations with six world powers which are expected to resume in October.
For the past decade the head of Iran's hardline supreme national security council has fronted the on-off nuclear talks.
Iran's outgoing chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, is an uncompromising anti-western ideologue who ran for the presidency in June's elections but was trounced by Mr Rouhani.
Mr Zarif has promised a more moderate foreign policy while insisting that sanctions will not force Iran to compromise on its right to a peaceful nuclear programme.
Instead, he and Mr Rouhani say, Iran will offer more transparency on its atomic activities to prove these are not, as western powers suspect, aimed at developing a weapons capability.
"We want to show the world that there is no threat from Iran," Mr Zarif said on Thursday. "Nuclear weapons have no place in Iranian doctrine. Rather they are a threat to our national security. We are a powerful country and fundamentally do not need nuclear weapons."
Mr Rouhani and Mr Zarif are keenly aware they shoulder the burden of great expectations among ordinary Iranians. One message on Mr Zarif's Facebook page, which has 64,000 "fans", reads: "I hope you can fulfil the pledges of Dr Rouhani to restore proper ties based on mutual respect with the West, especially the US."
Another posting implores: "We want you and Mr Rouhani to become our heroes by solving the nuclear problems and sanctions."
Mr Zarif, fluent in English, spent much of his adult life in the US where his two children were born. He studied international relations at San Francisco State University before earning a doctorate in international law and policy at the University of Denver.
Between 2002 and 2007 he served as Iran's top representative at the United Nations in New York. Given that Iran has not had diplomatic relations with the US for more than 30 years, the UN job is a crucial one, almost equivalent to a cabinet post.
Mr Zarif's Washington contact book includes the US vice president Joe Biden, the defence secretary Chuck Hagel, and a who's who of US national security officials on both sides of the aisle.
"He has met with people at almost every level of the American administration and also the private American think-tank world and the academic world," said Gary Sick, an Iran expert at Columbia University in New York.
"So he knows American politics and he knows what is possible and what is not possible."
Sir Richard Dalton, a British former ambassador to Iran, said he believed Mr Zarif would "do an excellent job", although much would depend on how much flexibility he is given "by the system as a whole".
The framework and tenor of Iran's foreign and nuclear policy are set by Iran's hardline supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is viscerally mistrustful of the US.
However, the ayatollah may be grudgingly prepared to give Mr Rouhani, himself a former chief nuclear negotiator, the chance to explore whether an accommodation can be reached with Washington.
Mr Zarif, like Mr Rouhani, is "fully trusted" by the supreme leader, said Mr Majd, the author of The Ayatollahs' Democracy.
For the first time in years, both Iran and the US are ready to engage at the same time, experts say. But even an interim solution would require meaningful concessions by each side.
Tehran would have to significantly limit its uranium enrichment programme while Washington must accept some Iranian nuclear fuel production and offer a far better deal on easing sanctions than it had so far.
Mr Zarif confidently swatted aside hostile questioning at his confirmation hearing this month before a parliament dominated by hardliners. Several MPs accused him of being pro-West and alleged he had visited the US this spring to apply for a green card that would give him US citizenship.
Firmly denying the allegation, he said he had been in Tehran at the time, pushing his elderly mother's wheelchair. His robust 30-minute address to legislators was sprinkled with quotations from the Quran and respectful references to Mr Khamenei, which silenced the boisterous chamber.
"Today, the world needs moderation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a powerful country, can advance its foreign policy with moderation," Mr Zarif said recently.
"I very much hope that the Obama administration is listening and is capable of responding in kind," said Mr Sick, a former US National Security Council official. "There is an opening here, but it will remain open only if [US president Barack] Obama and western leaders are willing to stand up to the war-mongering rhetoric from some quarters [in the US]."
mtheodoulou@thenational.ae
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
65
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UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
RACE CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
8.15pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
9.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
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
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
Lewis Hamilton in 2018
Australia 2nd; Bahrain 3rd; China 4th; Azerbaijan 1st; Spain 1st; Monaco 3rd; Canada 5th; France 1st; Austria DNF; Britain 2nd; Germany 1st; Hungary 1st; Belgium 2nd; Italy 1st; Singapore 1st; Russia 1st; Japan 1st; United States 3rd; Mexico 4th
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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Brief scoreline:
Al Wahda 2
Al Menhali 27', Tagliabue 79'
Al Nassr 3
Hamdallah 41', Giuliano 45 1', 62'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
WWE TLC results
Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins
Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles
Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax
Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match
Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre
Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match
Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match
Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day
R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox