The objective of the talks under way in the Austrian capital of Vienna is to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement – known as the JCPOA – between Iran on the one side and China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US on the other. They cannot be viewed in isolation, however, as they play a role in any American-European and European-Russian negotiations that are currently focused on resolving the crisis in Ukraine.
Ukraine – which was a part of the Russian empire and, like Russia, a former Soviet republic thereafter – seeks to join Nato, a US-led western security alliance created more than seven decades ago as a bulwark against the Soviet-led communist bloc. Moscow fears Nato’s increasing post-Cold War influence in Eastern Europe and aims to stop it in its tracks. The immediate priority of the West, therefore, is to reach an agreement with Russia that will determine Europe’s security architecture for years to come.
While diplomats are working overnight to find a rapprochement on that front, there is also a sense that the Vienna talks need to arrive at a conclusion – either positive or negative – by the end of February. There is newfound optimism that an accord can be reached, which could shift Iran’s relations with the West in a positive direction. There have even been reports of direct American-Iranian meetings being held secretly.
More from Raghida Dergham
Led by new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Berlin is playing an important role in trying to resolve both the Ukraine and Iran issues. The Russians view Germany as being instrumental for many reasons, not least the latter’s determination to ensure Russian gas supplies to Europe continue. The Iranians view Germany as a relatively friendly power that is leading a European bid to pressure the Biden administration to offer more concessions to Iran in return for the revival of the JCPOA. Last week, Mr Scholz went to Washington to meet US President Joe Biden. Now – amid fears that Russian troops will soon march into Ukraine – he is heading to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, Mr Biden and Mr Putin had a phone conversation to discuss the Ukraine crisis. As things appear, diplomacy will be carried out in full swing at least until the Beijing Winter Olympics end on February 20, or perhaps until the Paralympics conclude in March. Moscow, after all, has no desire to rain on China’s parade, particularly as it needs Chinese support in confronting the West. What happens thereafter is anyone’s guess. Iran, too, being Russia’s strategic partner, is preparing for both escalation and de-escalation. This is where the Vienna talks come in.
The eighth round of negotiations has reached its final stages, following which both the Iranians and the Europeans seem optimistic. There is talk that the Biden administration could agree to lifting 90 per cent of America’s sanctions on Iran, particularly on its ability to sell its oil and gas. This couldn’t happen soon enough for Iran, as the resumption of its biggest exports will give its economy a much-needed boost. Another sticking point is the US’s insistence that it be given access to Tehran’s nuclear programme; to this, the Iranian regime says the IAEA, the global nuclear watchdog, already has access. Other proposals include maintaining sanctions on the nuclear programme for a limited time, say for about six months, during which the international community determines whether Tehran is or isn’t importing prohibited material under the guise of procuring technology necessary for its so-called peaceful programme.
Russia is keen to have sanctions lifted on Iran’s exports and imports, notably on its ability to buy weapons. Iran also has China's support, with the two sides engaging in a limited oil trade. The Chinese-Iranian-Russian grouping largely agrees on the substance of Iran’s demands.
The Europeans, too, are keen to on a deal, considering how much their own businesses stand to benefit from Iran’s integration into the global economy. They seem unperturbed by the Iranian regime’s malign behaviour in the Middle East, which involves exporting its so-called revolution to the Arab world. In fact, the Europeans continue to believe – without evidence – that the JCPOA will moderate Iran’s regional behaviour, even though the deal didn’t do anything of the sort after it was signed in 2015.
Mr Biden’s own willingness to conclude a deal he helped to secure with Iran, when he was Barack Obama’s vice president in 2015, could face opposition from the US Congress, which could force a vote on it. While Mr Biden’s Democrats have control of the legislature, political headwinds in an election year bring with them their own complications. And it’s highly unlikely that the Biden team will try to circumvent Congress by securing a deal during its February 21-25 recess, as some have speculated, given the political ramifications of such a move for the administration.
There is undoubtedly an overlap between two of the world’s most compelling crises right now
In all this, one should not underestimate the role Israel may be playing in these talks, even though it is not part of the negotiations. The Biden administration seems to be seeking security guarantees for its strategic ally in the Middle East, which Iran considers to be its adversary. Could security guarantees for Israel, a domestic issue for America, pave the way for a deal?
Russia is seeking to play the role of a broker. It is convinced that it has leverage of its own over Israel, as the two countries enjoy extensive economic ties and have their own strategic objectives in Syria over which they can co-ordinate with each other. And while UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’s visit to Moscow earlier in the week is said to have led to a disappointing outcome vis-a-vis the Ukraine crisis, I am given to believe that her talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were positive in the context of the Iran issue.
There is undoubtedly an overlap between two of the world’s most compelling crises right now, and if the diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis become inexorably complicated, today’s positive climate regarding the Iran issue may not hold tomorrow either. Were goodwill to indeed evaporate, Russia would feel the need to use Iran as a sharp object of escalation with the West. It is in this context that Mr Scholz’s upcoming visit to Moscow is crucial.
Can the German Chancellor deliver a diplomatic victory in Moscow a week after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the Russian capital ended with no meaningful rapprochement? That will depend on how much Mr Biden is willing to budge on Iran and, equally, how much Mr Putin is ready to concede on Ukraine.
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESupy%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDani%20El-Zein%2C%20Yazeed%20bin%20Busayyis%2C%20Ibrahim%20Bou%20Ncoula%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFood%20and%20beverage%2C%20tech%2C%20hospitality%20software%2C%20Saas%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%20for%20six%20months%3B%20pre-seed%20round%20of%20%241.5%20million%3B%20seed%20round%20of%20%248%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBeco%20Capital%2C%20Cotu%20Ventures%2C%20Valia%20Ventures%20and%20Global%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%20%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E646hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E830Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwo-speed%20auto%20(rear%20axle)%3B%20single-speed%20auto%20(front)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh552%2C311%3B%20Dh660%2C408%20(as%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20several%20factors%20for%20landlords%20to%20consider%20when%20preparing%20to%20establish%20a%20holiday%20home%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3ERevenue%20potential%20of%20the%20unit%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20location%2C%20view%20and%20size%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%3A%20furnished%20or%20unfurnished.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Is%20the%20design%20up%20to%20standard%2C%20while%20being%20catchy%20at%20the%20same%20time%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20model%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20will%20it%20be%20managed%20by%20a%20professional%20operator%20or%20directly%20by%20the%20owner%2C%20how%20often%20does%20the%20owner%20wants%20to%20use%20it%20for%20personal%20reasons%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuality%20of%20the%20operator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20guest%20reviews%2C%20customer%20experience%20management%2C%20application%20of%20technology%2C%20average%20utilisation%2C%20scope%20of%20services%20rendered%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Adam%20Nowak%2C%20managing%20director%20of%20Ultimate%20Stay%20Vacation%20Homes%20Rental%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THURSDAY'S FIXTURES
4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors
6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils
8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
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
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Points classification after Stage 4
1. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 124
2. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 81
3. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) 66
4. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 63
5. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) 43
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Tu%20Jhoothi%20Main%20Makkaar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELuv%20Ranjan%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Shraddha%20Kapoor%2C%20Anubhav%20Singh%20Bassi%20and%20Dimple%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
