Afghans living in the area where the US military dropped a massive bomb last week reported how the large explosion pierced the silence that often falls across the largely rural area. That, indeed, may be an appropriate metaphor for America’s recent foreign policy under Donald Trump. The “analysis paralysis” of the Obama administration is well-known. Barack Obama, ever the professor, spent so much time debating and discussing the finer points and potential repercussions of his government’s foreign actions with his advisers that they often failed to actually take any real actions, even when a “red line” was crossed.
Mr Trump’s few weeks in office have upended that. Across theatres where the US perceives a threat, Washington has acted forcefully. It started mere days after Mr Trump took office, when he authorised a raid on the house of a suspected leader of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Nearly 30 civilians were killed and the raid was widely judged a failure. But Washington had shown that it was willing to use military force.
In the past few days, that idea has been cemented. First came the attack on Syria, with Mr Trump ordering the bombing of an airbase from which a chemical weapons attack was launched. Then, a naval strike force was sent towards North Korea. Then came the use of America’s most powerful non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan. America’s rivals in Russia, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea and even China will certainly be paying attention.
But what is the message behind these actions? Much of it is rooted in the Obama years. Mr Trump sees himself as the opposite of Mr Obama, a doer who acts when he promises to. The debacle over Mr Obama’s red lines in Syria have become a lodestar for the Trump administration – there is a collective belief that such a policy must not be hung around their necks. Mr Trump therefore is trying hard to show that he means what he says.
But there is also a more profound difference in political philosophy. Mr Obama’s reticence to use force was rooted in a belief that it ought to be a last resort, used long after diplomatic options were exhausted. Mr Trump takes the view that not demonstrating the capacity to use force only emboldens enemies. He took that view, for example, over the Iran deal, believing it only made Tehran more aggressive. So those wondering whether a new administration would be more willing to use force to defend policy will have heard the answer loud and clear.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
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ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
