Senior US politicians are worried that a Turkish invasion of Syria's north-east region is imminent and are indicating they are prepared to impose sanctions on Washington's Nato ally.
Republican Senator John Kennedy warned that he is concerned Turkey would invade Syria as the country works to rebuild after opposition forces removed Bashar Al Assad's regime after 13 years of war. Mr Kennedy delivered a speech on the Senate floor this week declaring to Ankara: “Leave the Kurds alone … don't do it.”
Washington has maintained a relatively limited troop presence in Syria, and on Thursday announced the Pentagon had doubled its presence from about 900 to 2,000 soldiers, in partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces for their anti-ISIS mission. Turkey has accused the Kurdish-led forces of being terrorists.
“If you invade Syria and touch a hair on the head of the Kurds, I'm going to ask this United States Congress to do something,” Mr Kennedy continued. “And our sanctions are not going to help the economy of Turkey. I don't want to do that.”
Leading senators from both parties – Democrat Chris Van Hollen and Republican Lindsey Graham – this week threatened sanctions against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan if Ankara-backed forces do not achieve a ceasefire deal with the Kurds in north-east Syria.
The senators accused Turkey of refusing “to extend the ceasefire, including an offer for a demilitarised zone along the border, particularly the city of Kobani”.
“While Turkey has some legitimate security concerns that can be addressed, these developments are undermining regional security and the United States cannot sit idly by,” Mr Van Hollen and Mr Graham wrote in a statement.
“In the wake of the Assad regime’s fall, Turkish-backed forces have ramped up attacks against our Syrian-Kurdish partners, once again threatening the vital mission of preventing the resurgence of ISIS.”
US sanctions could have real implications for Ankara, said Yerevan Saeed, director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at the American University in Washington.
“The Turkish economy is not doing well. Inflation is very, very high. The lira has been declining. So the hope by the senators, by people in Washington DC, the policymakers, is that these sanctions are going to deter President Erdogan from invading Rojava,” he told The National.
“Whether that's going to stop Turkey or not is really unknown.”
Mr Saeed said the “Kurds are very, very concerned, not just from the leadership level, but also the people and the public” about Turkey moving into Syria. But some doubt whether Turkish military action is an imminent threat.
Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Washington-based Syrian Emergency Task Force, recently returned from Damascus where he was searching for American detainee Austin Tice.
“People may be blowing things out of proportion by calling on sanctions to a Nato ally when we haven't seen any major military operations by Turkey in north-east Syria," he said.
This week, Turkey appointed an interim charge d'affaires to run its embassy in Damascus, after Ankara's intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin visited the Syrian capital.
Mr Moustafa said such shows of engagement are going to be critical in building stability in Syria, including in the north-east.
“I think it all goes back to the new Damascus government. Are they going to be able to cut some sort of deal with the SDF, YPG [Kurdish People's Defence Units], PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party] elements, and ensure the security and stability of north-east Syria, alongside the rest of the country and making sure that there are no crimes against the Kurds or any other part of the Syrian mosaic,” he told The National.
Mr Saeed said, however, that Turkish troops are not on the border “to have a picnic”.
But he also stressed: “Turkey has a very historic opportunity to reconcile with the Kurds in Syria, in the same way … President Erdogan was able to change the Turkish policy towards the Kurds in Iraq. It will be a really win-win situation for everyone. There will be lots of opportunity for the Turkish companies to come and invest in Rojava, instead of making these military threats, which will be destabilising.”
The incoming government in Washington could further complicate the US stance towards Syria and Turkey.
President-elect Donald Trump, who assumes power next month and has indicated a more hands-off approach to Syria, called the removal of Mr Al Assad an “unfriendly takeover” orchestrated by Turkey.
“I think Turkey is very smart … Turkey did an unfriendly takeover, without a lot of lives being lost. I can say that Assad was a butcher, what he did to children,” the Republican added.
Mr Trump has cast doubt on Washington's small presence in Syria, and tried to withdraw completely during his first presidency.
Mr Saeed told The National that such a move would be unwise: “The value of the US and the western countries are getting is really high and huge, because the US troops are there for intelligence and also provide the support for the Kurdish fighters … If the US would withdraw, of course, that would that will pave the way for ISIS to return."
Others have called for a rethink of Washington's anti-ISIS mission after the fall of the Assad regime, including former US ambassador to Damascus, Robert Ford.
“YPG-led forces have failed to achieve the enduring defeat of ISIS. After six years, time for an American rethink of strategy,” Mr Ford wrote in a post on X in response to the senators' sanctions threat.
Reuters quoted Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler as saying that “in the new period, the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation in Syria will be eliminated sooner or later”.
Contrary to Washington's assessment, Mr Guler said Turkey saw no sign of a resurgence of ISIS in Syria.
For Mr Moustafa, international engagement with the new government is ultimately going to be critical for Syria and for US regional interests there.
“Syria isn't going to become a democracy overnight. But Syria is now the closest Arab country to a democracy than any other Arab country. That's a fact, and the promises of the government and their actions have really been reassuring,” he said.
“The new government in Damascus deserves the international community's support to help them on their way to becoming a democratic republic, not to continue to hear concern and calling all the Syrians terrorists when they have liberated their country from the terrorists themselves.”
On Thursday, the top Democrats on the Senate and House foreign affairs committees introduced a resolution that “underscores the importance of protecting religious and ethnic minorities, including Syrian Kurds, Yazidis and Chaldeans” in Syria, and called on the State Department to increase humanitarian aid.
The resolution notes that “Syrian opposition forces have repeatedly signalled their intent to respect the rights and dignity of religious and ethnic minorities in Syria, but there have been incidents of members of such minorities fleeing their homes, while there is documented violence and expulsions against Kurdish communities by elements of the Syrian National Army”.
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
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Biography
Favourite drink: Must have karak chai and Chinese tea every day
Favourite non-Chinese food: Arabic sweets and Indian puri, small round bread of wheat flour
Favourite Chinese dish: Spicy boiled fish or anything cooked by her mother because of its flavour
Best vacation: Returning home to China
Music interests: Enjoys playing the zheng, a string musical instrument
Enjoys reading: Chinese novels, romantic comedies, reading up on business trends, government policy changes
Favourite book: Chairman Mao Zedong’s poems
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UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
SRI LANKA SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay
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CREW
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Pathaan
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Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
The finalists
Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho
Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson
Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)
Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid
Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
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Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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