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Amos Hochstein's official job title is wordy: special presidential co-ordinator for global infrastructure and energy security.
The lengthy name gives little indication of the key role he played in US President Joe Biden's administration's push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
For much of the past four years, Mr Hochstein has been Mr Biden's primary point man for Israel and Lebanon, helping to negotiate an agreement in 2022 that established a maritime boundary between the countries, which do not have diplomatic ties.
After October 7 last year, he shuttled between the two nations trying, unsuccessfully, to prevent a conflict from breaking out between Israel and Hezbollah. In recent months, he pushed the warring sides to agree to a ceasefire, visiting Lebanon and Israel last week to help finalise an agreement.
At first glance, Mr Hochstein might seem like an unusual choice to lead mediation efforts. He was born in Jerusalem to American parents and served in the Israeli military in the early 1990s.
He has held numerous positions in Washington, including as a congressional aide and foreign policy adviser to Democratic members of the House foreign affairs committee. During Barack Obama's administration, he rose to assistant secretary of state for energy resources.
He has also spent time as a lobbyist and executive at a liquefied natural gas company.
The father of four is often seen at international events in a well-fitting suits with slicked-back hair, working crowds with ease. It is that ability to connect that some say makes him a skilled negotiator.
“He develops trust with his interlocutors on both sides, he's had this uncanny ability to develop the trust of the Lebanese leaders, as well as the Israeli leaders,” said Edward Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon and a former US ambassador to Morocco.
Mr Gabriel, whose organisation promotes strong relations between the US and Lebanon, said Mr Hochstein was not a “typical” negotiator and possessed an ability to hear the arguments of both sides and to cut to the chase of what they want.
“He tries to construct a win-win case,” Mr Gabriel told The National. “He's able to deliver messages as well and when he communicates, he does it with great sincerity for the job.”
Mr Hochstein also has the trust of Mr Biden, Mr Gabriel said, something that gives him influence and manoeuvrability when speaking to Israeli and Lebanese leaders.
In the past two months, Mr Hochstein worked tirelessly to secure a deal between Hezbollah and Israel that would end the fighting and lead Hezbollah to retreat to north of the Litani River, a key requirement of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The ceasefire proposal, which was agreed to on Tuesday, calls for a two-month truce, during which Israel would withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon as Hezbollah fighters move north, while Lebanese soldiers would move into the border area.
A US-led committee would be established during that period to oversee a permanent ceasefire, which would involve UN peacekeepers in Lebanon (Unifil), Lebanese and Israeli officials, and representatives from countries including the UK and Germany, according to sources and the draft proposal seen by The National.
“I'm sure he wants to do this for the President, but he's been very smart in making sure that he works closely with the incoming administration, the [Donald] Trump administration,” Mr Gabriel said. “He has a back channel, I'm sure, to them, and it's really shown in terms of president-elect Trump, President Biden, [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and the Lebanese all coming together on this deal.”
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Brief scores:
England: 290 & 346
Sri Lanka: 336 & 243
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
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RESULTS
2.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
2.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
3.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Inthar, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.45pm: Al Ain Stud Emirates Breeders Trophy – Conditions (PA) Dh50,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: MH Rahal, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne
4.25pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: JAP Aneed, Ray Dawson, Irfan Ellahi
4.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Edaraat, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
