The contours of the US presidential election in November will become clearer after the televised debate between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump on Tuesday night.
How the media and the public perceive the outcome of the debate will depend largely on the “performance” of both candidates. This is especially the case after President Joe Biden’s poor showing in his debate against Mr Trump in June forced the then Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee to step aside for Ms Harris.
Policy pronouncements are important, of course, especially if the candidates present new proposals to address domestic issues and foreign policy challenges. However, what American viewers will be most focused on is performance.
Ms Harris’s performance will be scrutinised as she is new to the presidential debate stage, while Mr Trump will probably attempt to undermine her at every opportunity, portraying her as unfit for leadership. Conversely, Mr Trump’s performance may veer into dangerous territory, potentially exposing him to accusations of racism, arrogance and condescension – both towards Ms Harris and, by extension, women.
Both candidates have reportedly prepared extensively for the debate.
Ms Harris, who has plenty of experience as a prosecutor, has been coached by Karen Dunn, who previously advised Hillary Clinton. Reports indicate that Ms Harris has spent five days strategising with her advisers and preparing key points. Mr Trump, on the other hand, may not follow the traditional debate preparation process, but his advisers are urging him to avoid personal attacks on Ms Harris and focus, instead, on highlighting her weaknesses.
Harris’s performance will be scrutinised as she is new to the presidential debate stage
As has been the case in the past, foreign policy is unlikely to dominate the debate.
With the exception of the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, most issues pertaining to foreign policy are unlikely to draw widespread attention. Iraq, for example, no longer occupies the spotlight in presidential campaigns as it once did. Libya, another country that continues to wrestle with internal problems as an outcome of western-led intervention, is also for the most part forgotten.
The US’s reputation of abandoning its allies is a sore point with many governments around the world. But most American voters may not remember, or even know about, Washington’s myriad mistakes on the global stage and the impact they continue to have today. This is primarily because large sections of American society care little about these misadventures. Some of this is reflected in the biased and self-serving coverage of these issues in many of the mainstream US media outlets.
Of course, the ongoing wars – and the respective candidates’ policy prescriptions to resolve them – are likely to help some voters make up their mind on who to vote for in November.
Mr Trump has hinted at new proposals to end the war in Ukraine, but he will probably address the issue with caution to avoid appearing pro-Russia. While many Americans question the US-led support for Kyiv, there is also widespread and deep-rooted suspicion of Moscow’s strategic aims.
Ms Harris will conceivably boast of the Biden-Harris administration’s success in strengthening Nato in its bid to counter Russia. She is also likely to accuse Mr Trump of being friendly with strongmen around the world.
Mr Trump will repeat his claim that if he had been in power, neither the Ukraine war nor the Gaza conflict would have erupted. He will present himself as the candidate with a roadmap to end the Ukraine conflict, probably proposing a deal to prevent Kyiv’s Nato membership and balance its territorial integrity with the identity of those areas that Moscow insists must remain under its control.
On the issue of Israel and its war on Gaza, both candidates will probably attempt to woo the Jewish-American vote. They will look to prove their loyalty towards Israel by pledging to continue providing military and financial support to it while condemning Hamas for its actions on October 7.
Ms Harris may reaffirm her commitment to Palestinian self-determination and dignity while acknowledging the war’s heavy toll on Palestinian civilians. Mr Trump, on the other hand, will probably focus on empowering Israel to “finish the job” and eliminate Hamas, as it sees fit. He is unlikely to commit to a two-state solution, and while Ms Harris may avoid wholeheartedly endorsing it, she will reaffirm her commitment to the principle if asked.
America, in real terms, seems to be abandoning the two-state solution. Washington no longer challenges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the issue, despite his government’s rejection of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Leaders around the world will watch the debate with the expectation that, eventually, Ms Harris will win the presidency. The Vice President has attempted to position herself as more adaptable and agile than Mr Trump, who is nearly 18 years her senior. In the process, she has captured global attention, particularly with some of the initial enthusiasm for Mr Trump having waned.
If we were to examine Russian President Vladimir Putin’s tone when he recently said that he supports Ms Harris for president, we would be able to see that he was only half-joking. There is little doubt that governments in countries such as Russia and China have begun planning for a possible Harris administration.
The greatest gift Mr Trump could give Ms Harris during the debate, therefore, would be to underestimate her as a serious candidate.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fringe@Four Line-up
October 1 - Phil Nichol (stand-up comedy)
October 29 - Mandy Knight (stand-up comedy)
November 5 - Sinatra Raw (Fringe theatre)
November 8 - Imah Dumagay & Sundeep Fernandes (stand-up comedy)
November 13 - Gordon Southern (stand-up comedy)
November 22 - In Loyal Company (Fringe theatre)
November 29 - Peter Searles (comedy / theatre)
December 5 - Sinatra’s Christmas Under The Stars (music / dinner show)
What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
LAST-16 EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES
Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)
FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm
Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm
Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm
Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm
Thursday
Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm
Sevilla v Roma (one leg only) 8.55pm
FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm
Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
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The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
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Napoleon
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Results:
2.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: AZ Dhabyan, Adam McLean (jockey), Saleha Al Ghurair (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
3.15pm: Conditions (PA) Dh60,000 2,000m.
Winner: Hareer Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,700m.
Winner: Kenz Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh 200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
4.45pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m.
Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
FIGHT INFO
Men’s 60kg Round 1:
Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1
Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
