New York hedge fund billionaire Jeffrey Talpins has backed a push for more Abraham Accords-style normalisation deals between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
The Atlantic Council think tank in Washington on Monday announced a “major expansion” of its work on Middle East peace thanks to support from the Jeffrey M Talpins Foundation.
The project, known as the Abraham Dialogues, will advance co-operation between the Atlantic Council, the Emirates Policy Centre in Abu Dhabi and the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
Fred Kempe, chief executive of the Atlantic Council, said deals to normalise ties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco in the past year offered hope to a turbulent region.
“The Abraham Dialogues will deepen these agreements by promoting sustainable ties between the countries across sectors,” Mr Kempe said.
“The lasting personal relationships that emerge will help ensure a more peaceful, prosperous region.”
The plan aims to bring together Israeli and Arab “decision-makers and thought leaders” for private conversations aimed at providing new ideas for co-operation in the region.
The effort is led by former Pentagon official William Wechsler, former US State Department adviser Kirsten Fontenrose and Atlantic Council fellow Carmiel Arbit.
Oren Eisner, president of the Jeffrey M Talpins Foundation, said overcoming differences in the Middle East required “sustained, meaningful, multifaceted engagement”.
“This includes fostering deep personal ties among leaders,” Mr Eisner said.
“The Abraham Dialogues will help build the connections that will carry the parties into the future and help chart the course for a new Middle East.”
The foundation is the philanthropic vehicle for Mr Talpins, who runs the $17 billion hedge fund Element Capital Management.
The Atlantic Council together with Israeli and Emirati think tanks in February released a report on how US President Joe Biden should approach peacemaking in the Middle East.
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LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
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Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
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Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
