Since his return to power in January, US President Donald Trump has indulged in an unconventional approach to resolving the world’s outstanding issues. Niceties have given way to blunt and loud diplomacy from the White House.
While the final outcomes of these issues remain uncertain – notably the wars in Ukraine and Gaza – one thing is clear: regardless of how crude the US President’s methods are, shaking up the status quo was necessary. This wasn’t just about trying to end the world’s two most critical conflicts; it was also an attempt to issue wake-up calls to all relevant stakeholders in Europe and the Middle East.
In recent days, Mr Trump has shifted his focus to Iran. He has offered Tehran a deal to normalise ties with Washington, end sanctions and reclaim its global standing in return for two things: abandon its nuclear weapons programme and stop using proxy militias to destabilise sovereign states.
As expected, Tehran has publicly rejected Mr Trump’s offer given that these programmes are the cornerstones of its foreign policy. While it perceives its nuclear ambitions as ensuring regime survival, its reliance on proxies helps to impose its primacy over large parts of the Middle East.
Trump’s approach to Iran has been less provocative than his confrontational stance towards the US’s European allies on the Ukraine war
However, Iran’s influence has been greatly reduced in recent months by the fall of Bashar Al Assad’s government in Syria last year. Interim President Ahmad Al Shara is determined to push back against this influence in his country, while competing regional powers such as Turkey and Israel have moved swiftly to block any form of Iranian resurgence in the broader region.
Mr Trump’s messaging to Iran couldn’t be clearer: it is encircled in the region and needs to adapt. He is not demanding regime change but leaving Tehran with a choice between recalibrating its ideology on the one hand, and facing relentless economic strangulation and possibly even US-backed Israeli military strikes to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure on the other.
The US President has infused his Iran policy with overt respect for the country, its history and its people. He has paired this approach with the threat of military action – not just against its military installations, but against its proxies. Could Washington’s wave of air strikes on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saturday – citing the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – have been a signal to the leadership in Tehran?
Meanwhile, even as Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful proxy in the region, struggles to recover from its decapitation after Israel’s recent war in Lebanon, Mr Trump has sought to pressure the Israeli government to finalise land border demarcation, blocking its territorial claims on Lebanese land. At the same time, Washington has warned that it will reject any attempt by Iran to use Hezbollah as leverage in these negotiations. Indeed, Tehran will not be allowed to continue to weaponise its proxies as bargaining chips.
Mr Trump’s approach to Iran has been less provocative than his confrontational stance towards the US’s European allies on the Ukraine war – except when it comes to Tehran’s support for Hamas in Gaza. But Iran, fearing the repercussions, has distanced itself from the group, avoiding any obstruction to Arab diplomatic efforts to counter Mr Trump’s outrageous proposals for the Palestinian territory. The Iranian government’s priority, at least for now, is Iran – not the Palestinian cause.
This brings us to Mr Trump’s evolving stance on Gaza. He initially called for mass displacement of Palestinians from their homeland, envisioning the enclave’s coastline as the “Riviera of the Middle East”. But last week, he declared that no one is forcing Palestinians to leave and that no one will be expelled from the land.
This is, in large part, the outcome of a calculated strategy employed by key Arab states, in demonstrating to Mr Trump how his Gaza plan could undermine his own ambition of bringing the Arab world and Israel closer together. Pushback from many of the region’s key leaders and their proposal of an alternative for the enclave have nudged the US President to moderate his rhetoric without forcing him to climb down.
Of course, much needs to be done to start the process of rebuilding Gaza. Talks to sustain the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are still ongoing, and it would be a mistake to assume that Mr Trump has completely abandoned his broader vision for the territory. Reports that Washington is directly negotiating with Hamas for the release of several hostages in its custody should not be misinterpreted as a strategic shift towards recognising the group’s rule over the enclave.
This is all part of Mr Trump’s unconventional approach to geopolitics. It is an approach that has led Arab leaders to reassess the Palestinian-Israeli crisis with renewed urgency. But given that Israel continues to wield influence on the US President’s thinking, it is incumbent upon Arab countries to persist with their own newfound strategy to dealing with him.
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SPECS
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The five pillars of Islam
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
The years Ramadan fell in May
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014
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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
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)
Man of the match Harry Kane
Scorecard
Scotland 220
K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35
UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs
C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out
Read more about the coronavirus
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
SWEET%20TOOTH
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UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
Stage 3 results
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 4:42:33
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:03
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:30
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:56
General Classification after Stage 3:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 12:30:02
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:35
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:40
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Wilco Kelderman (NED) Team Sunweb) 0:02:06
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
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Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
