Acting Defence Secretary Chris Miller arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday to visit US troops in the region before a drawdown to 2,500 soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr Miller was appointed to the position on November 9 by departing President Donald Trump after the sacking of Mark Esper, but will leave the post on January 20.
He arrived in Bahrain on Wednesday, where he was received by Defence Affairs Minister Lt Gen Abdulla bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, the country’s news agency reported.
The US Department of Defence said the purpose was to thank American troops stationed in the region and be with them for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.
“Acting Secretary Miller will meet service members to express his gratitude for the selfless service to the nation by both them and their families, and to wish them a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday,” the department said.
Mr Miller will also meet leaders of the host countries.
The department did not say which capitals Mr Miller would visit, but Iraq and Gulf countries hosting American troops are expected to be on the itinerary.
Addressing “security interests and priorities of countering violent extremism and combating malign activities that threaten the sovereignty and stability of the region” will be on the table, the Pentagon said.
On November 17, Mr Miller announced plans to reduce US troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan to 2,500 soldiers by January 15.
That means 500 troops will be leaving Iraq by that date.
But the US has strengthened its presence in other areas in the region.
The military this week quickly sent B-52 bombers to the Middle East in an apparent move to counter Iran.
The US Central Command said the planes were meant to “deter aggression and reassure US partners and allies".
Departing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo returned from the region this week, where he visited the UAE, Israel, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
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Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Stage 3 results
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 4:42:33
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:03
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:30
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:56
General Classification after Stage 3:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 12:30:02
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:35
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:40
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Wilco Kelderman (NED) Team Sunweb) 0:02:06
ASHES FIXTURES
1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8
The Energy Research Centre
Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
