World leaders are gathering for a crucial Nato summit this week in Washington, where the defence alliance will look to increase co-operation with Middle East partners to help counter Iran and its deepening military ties to Russia.
Dozens of non-member partners including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Israel have been invited to join the talks as Nato marks its 75th anniversary in a fast-changing world whose power balances have shifted since its creation in 1949.
Russia's war in Ukraine will probably be front and centre of discussions, and Nato is working to engage countries across a much broader region as it highlights the bonds between Moscow and Tehran.
Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programme, said Nato members would be highlighting “the Russia issue”.
I don't think the situation in Gaza will feature prominently in these talks, if Nato can avoid it. There's plenty of other issues... missile defence, the Iranian threat
Luke Coffey,
Hudson Institute
“That obviously involves Iran predominantly more than any other challenge in the Middle East and Iran's provisions of drones and other weapons to Russia,” he said.
The expert said Nato considers Middle East states, many of which maintain strong ties with Russia and China, to be vital in opposing the matter.
“It's an opportunity to try and demonstrate … greater unity and harmony in the face of efforts by China and Russia to push against the traditional liberal international order,” Mr Panikoff said.
A senior US official said that during the summit, the US and allies will make "significant" new announcements on increasing military funding for Ukraine, as part of a "bridge" to Nato membership.
"The United States will also announce new steps to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses and military capabilities, to help Ukraine continue to defend themselves today and to deter Russian aggression into the future," the US official told journalists on a call on Friday.
"Allies will reaffirm that Ukraine's future is in Nato."
Iran has been providing Russia with Shahed-type drones that have been pounding Ukrainian cities and front lines.
One ideal for Nato would be getting Arab countries and Israel, which has been hesitant to support Ukraine, to sign a joint statement with the alliance on the need to respect Ukrainian sovereignty and for Russia to withdraw.
“I'm sceptical you'd be able to get that far,” Mr Panikoff said.
Although representatives from Arab countries and Israel will attend the summit, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday, the war in Gaza might not be a key area of discussion, experts said.
“I don't think the situation in Gaza will feature prominently in these talks if Nato can avoid it,” said Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.
“Nato wants to maintain its focus on the institutional relationship between the alliance and these Arab states that are attending this because, as an intergovernmental security alliance, Nato has to find consensus on these big issues.
"Frankly, there's plenty of other issues of concern that Nato and Gulf states can discuss [such as] missile defence, the Iranian threat.”
Imad Harb, director of research and analysis at the Arab Centre in Washington, said he thought Arab countries would push for Nato to pressure Israel into a ceasefire in Gaza.
“Whether they get anywhere is a different story, because the most powerful nation on Earth, the United States, has not yet really committed itself to forcing Israel to go for a ceasefire,” Mr Harb said.
Nato has long formed partnerships with Arab states and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Istanbul Co-operation Initiative, which formalised Nato's engagement with the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
Arab countries have worked alongside Nato troops on several missions, with the UAE contributing to the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.
Middle Eastern partners have also been involved with Nato counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and in Libya in 2011.
Underscoring the importance of the region, Nato's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in December visited Saudi Arabia to outline his vision for deeper co-operation, marking the first visit to Riyadh by a sitting Nato leader.
He outlined several areas where Nato and Saudi Arabia could increase co-operation, including maritime security, protecting critical infrastructure and the fight against terrorism.
Mr Stoltenberg's term ends this year and he is being replaced by former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.
Another area of focus at this week's summit will be how US President Joe Biden comports himself on the world stage after his disastrous debate performance last week, which has increased the likelihood of the ardent Nato supporter being replaced by Donald Trump, who is sceptical of the alliance.
When asked at the debate whether he would pull the US out of Nato, Trump shrugged.
Jihan Abdalla contributed to this report from Washington.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
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- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
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First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
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Third course
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▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
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Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
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Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
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The Emirates Charity Portal
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Beit Al Khair Society
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Dar Al Ber Society
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Noor Dubai Foundation
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Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
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