February 24 will mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began with Moscow's occupation and annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington to lobby for continued and increased support of his country’s efforts to resist the invasion and occupation. In response, different voices in the American capital's policy arena, against the grain of overwhelming support for Mr Zelenskyy, warned against "never-ending" or "endless" war. They insisted that the US’s interests lay not in supporting Mr Zelenskyy’s objective of resisting Russian forces, but in pushing Kyiv to pursue political opportunities to end the conflict. Otherwise, they pointed out, further escalation is likely, which will be catastrophic for American interests. It’s an interesting argument but ultimately a contradictory one that does not hold up.
From the outset, it should be established clearly what a "never-ending", "endless" or "perpetual" war actually means. The concept has been used invariably to describe American involvement in Vietnam and Latin America, where the US was intervening in order to create a counter-balance to communism in different regions. The "perpetual" aspect of those interventions was described as a natural consequence; interventions created more instability, which thus provided the pretext for further responses, which meant more conflict. There were no conditions for ending those conflicts, and the end was never in sight, because external involvement necessarily meant that the conditions for a continual loop of intervention would persist. As such, resources are poured into conflict and war for ideological and political purposes, such as "war on communism", or such like.
There is no endless ideological goal being pursued by western countries by supporting Ukraine
But this is all different from what is happening in Ukraine.
There is no endless ideological goal being pursued here by the US and other western countries by supporting Ukraine. It’s quite straightforward; an independent country, Ukraine, has seen its sovereignty challenged, decades after it became independent from the then Soviet Union. Its territory has been militarily occupied, which is illegal under international law. Helping Ukraine resist further occupation, and resist the invasion, is not some kind of narrow western ideological objective.
On the contrary, it is the reverse. If there is an ideological objective at play, one need only listen to the stated and argued reasons for the invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is quite clear and transparent in this regard; he views Russia as having declined since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and this war is framed as a way to regain Russia’s status as a "great power". While Mr Putin did make Nato's refusal to ban Ukraine from ever entering the alliance grounds for an invasion, there is no national security reason that he articulated that would objectively justify this so-called "special military operation". Neither Ukraine, nor any of Russia’s neighbours, have ever expressed a desire to invade Russia. Even if there had been such a desire, Moscow’s move would have relied on the dubious notion of "pre-emptive self-defence" – but there was no such desire in any case. Indeed, if one wanted to use the frame of "never-ending" or "perpetual" war, it would be more appropriate to apply the logic to Russia and its moves. There is reason to suggest that if Moscow emerged successful in the war, it would try to move on to other countries in the neighbourhood, again, on the notion of pre-emptive self-defence.
As for support of Ukraine, that can hardly be described in the frame of "perpetual" war; but to insist on doing so is to inadvertently buy into Russia’s narrative on the war. To describe it as "never-ending" is to question the legitimacy of continuing support for Ukraine; and to withdraw support is to tacitly admit that Moscow had an understandable reason for invading Ukraine in the first place, even if not entirely legitimate.
It is important to be abundantly clear about the incongruity and illogic underlying this line of discussion being adopted by some policy wonks in Washington. By not being so, we are not simply abandoning Ukraine; we are abandoning any concept of international order that is not based on the notion that "might is right".
Many will rightly point that international order has been challenged in previous years; plenty of examples abound, including the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the Syrian civil war since 2011. But international order will not be improved by overlooking the largest land war in Europe since the Second World War. And the world knows it. There is no state on this planet that claims Russia was justified in its actions; rather, the world is divided into those states that stand by Ukraine and those that are neutral for various reasons. But no state, other than Russia, is actually saying that the invasion was a good idea.
We do run the risk of a never-ending war at this moment in history, because if international order is so crippled that it admits that might is indeed right on account of a Russian victory in Ukraine, then many more such episodes risk becoming an inevitable consequence. But there is a way to avoid that eventuality. And that means standing by Ukraine until there is recognition that the costs of invading a sovereign nation far outweigh any perceived benefits.
New schools in Dubai
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
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The five pillars of Islam
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The five pillars of Islam
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How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
The years Ramadan fell in May
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Straightforward ways to reduce sugar in your family's diet
- Ban fruit juice and sodas
- Eat a hearty breakfast that contains fats and wholegrains, such as peanut butter on multigrain toast or full-fat plain yoghurt with whole fruit and nuts, to avoid the need for a 10am snack
- Give young children plain yoghurt with whole fruits mashed into it
- Reduce the number of cakes, biscuits and sweets. Reserve them for a treat
- Don’t eat dessert every day
- Make your own smoothies. Always use the whole fruit to maintain the benefit of its fibre content and don’t add any sweeteners
- Always go for natural whole foods over processed, packaged foods. Ask yourself would your grandmother have eaten it?
- Read food labels if you really do feel the need to buy processed food
- Eat everything in moderation
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
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The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
