Syrian businessman Khaldoun Qassem is in two minds on whether to return from Warsaw for good and invest in his homeland, which he fled during the civil war.
US and EU decisions to lift sanctions on the Syrian economy have helped mitigate some of the risk.
No longer does he expect problems when liquidating part of a small fortune he has made in exile and transfer it to Syria.
This would be to turn one of several courtyard houses he owns in Old Damascus into a hotel.
Mr Qassem, a supporter of President Ahmad Al Shara, believes Syria has not yet left the danger zone.
The economy and the infrastructure are in shambles after 14 years of civil war that resulted in the removal of fromer president Bashar Al Assad by forces led by Mr Al Shara's Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), an armed group with past links to Al Qaeda .
Although western and Arab powers have given Mr Al Shara “the green light” to try to turn the country around, Mr Qassem fears that some of the new Preident's own base could undermine his rule.
He cites armed militants who patrol parts of Old Damascus and are blamed for enforcing gender segregation in public spaces and for carrying a deadly raid on a nightclub.
Mr Al Shara has promised accountability and fair elections, despite a vague timetable and accusations of continuous sectarian killings.
"Jihadists in the system are bad for business,” Mr Qassem said.
“There are two Syrias. The one the president is talking about, which is not the same as the one some of the state-sponsored militants think they are living in”.
“If they do not adapt, Al Shara must purge them." Mr Qassem plans to wait six months before deciding whether to return to Damascus.
Civil war ghosts
The risks to the country's stability go beyond whether Mr Al Shara is in full control of his military base.
Washington has lifted sanctions, but warned that if investment does not arrive soon, the pressure on livelihoods could swell the rans of ISIS.
The country could slide into another civil war, resurrecting the influence of Iran, the main regional backer of the former regime, said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
A European diplomat said the EU’s decision to lift sanctions aimed to stop the country turning into another Libya.
This undermines the official narrative that Syria is open for business, with the new state having awarded a French and a UAE company concessions to operate Syria’s two main ports.
Mr Al Shara has been setting up multilayered security structures to spread the reach of the new, HTS dominated state.
He has sent waves of auxiliaries to quell resistance in areas inhabited by Alawites, the sect whose members ruled Sunni-majority Syria for almost six decades, and is now primary target of killings.
Last month, military intervention by Israel halted an onslaught by HTS-allied militias on the Druze minority. The sect's heartland in the southern province of Suweida continues to come under attack.
Mr Al Shara must work out how to tackle the US-backed, mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF),a militia in control of large areas of the north-east of the country.
The region, near the border with Turkey, holds much of Syria's oil, gas and commodities. Turkey, which supports Mr Al Shara, regards the SDF as a main enemy.
In March, the SDF agreed to join the new state, but no substantial progress has been made, with the SDF insisting that it should remain as a separate division within the army.
Ties frayed further after the SDF convened a Kurdish conference last month to demand a federal system, which was rejected by Mr Al Shara.
An SDF official did not rule out that the US might at one point abandon the group in a possible deal with Turkey, noting that President Donald Trump met Mr Al Shara in Riyadh after being urged to do so by Ankara, and Saudi Arabia.
However, Mr Al Shara will undermine his international position if he moves military against the SDF, the official said.
“There is 10 per cent chance of war,” the official told The National. "I don't think Al Shara will embark on it because his international image is so important for him".
Another diplomat suggested that Mr Al Shara's perceived heavy-handedness in dealing with outlaying regions could cause the minorities to unite against him.
The issue of minorities have also contributed to tensions between Turkey and Israel, which is angered by Ankara's expansionism, does not want extremists near its border and may benefit from a weak government in Damascus.
Turkey has condemned Israel's intervention in favour of the Druze. Israeli media reported this week that the two countries have reached an agreement mediated by Azerbaijan to minimise the risk of clashes between their forces in Syria, indicating that as much as their interest diverge in Syria, neither want to risk war.
Kamel Ghribi, chairman of GKSD Holding, a company based in Milan and specialising in infrastructure and healthcare, expects Syria to remain vulnerable "to push and pull forces" until a balance is reached.
Mr Ghibri, who recently met Mr Al Shara in Damascus, said the Syrian government must act a the removal of sanctions to "build trust" through "genuine commitment to political reform, accountability and human rights".
Stabilisation in Syria, which links Europe with the Gulf, could reactivate trade routes and energy pipelines, "benefiting the entire region", he said.
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
World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
CREW
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INDIA%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3ERohit%20Sharma%20(capt)%2C%20Shubman%20Gill%2C%20Cheteshwar%20Pujara%2C%20Virat%20Kohli%2C%20Ajinkya%20Rahane%2C%20KL%20Rahul%2C%20KS%20Bharat%20(wk)%2C%20Ravichandran%20Ashwin%2C%20Ravindra%20Jadeja%2C%20Axar%20Patel%2C%20Shardul%20Thakur%2C%20Mohammed%20Shami%2C%20Mohammed%20Siraj%2C%20Umesh%20Yadav%2C%20Jaydev%20Unadkat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Background: Chemical Weapons
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
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Roger Federer's 2018 record
Australian Open Champion
Rotterdam Champion
Indian Wells Runner-up
Miami Second round
Stuttgart Champion
Halle Runner-up
Wimbledon Quarter-finals
Cincinnati Runner-up
US Open Fourth round
Shanghai Semi-finals
Basel Champion
Paris Masters Semi-finals
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Ant-Man%20and%20the%20Wasp%3A%20Quantumania
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
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Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, May 3
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
The Ashes
Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
