In April 1949, at the beginning of the Cold War, Nato was formed in Washington. The organisation’s first secretary general was British – Hastings Ismay – formerly Winston Churchill’s chief military adviser in the Second World War.
This US-UK link was seen as a key pillar of the “Atlantic Alliance”. Ismay humorously defined the UK’s Nato mission as “to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down”. Things have changed a bit since then. The Russians are still “out” of Western Europe, but the Ukraine invasion means Nato nations see Moscow as a growing threat.
The Americans are still “in” although Donald Trump’s unpredictable presidency often takes ever more unpredictable turns.
The US President, who once boasted about “no new wars”, decided to bomb Iran just a few days before this week’s crucial Nato summit in The Hague. America’s allies were informed rather than consulted. Some predicted that an American attack on Iran could split the alliance, although that seems unlikely right now.
Either way, the European pillar of Nato must make do with less America and perhaps a not-always-reliable US president. That, and the continuing Ukraine war, has forced increased European defence spending. In Germany, military spending is consequently not “down” but pushing hard to go “up” with a new sense of urgency in Berlin and elsewhere.
Mr Trump’s decision to join Israel’s attacks on Iran reinforces this urgent rearmament. Mr Trump’s focus is not primarily on the European continent, and having spoken previously of ending the Ukraine war in 24 hours, his interest in European security seems to have further diminished.
Some military commentators believe Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes one big push before winter will consolidate Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory and he can dictate a hard peace. Others think given the state of Russia's economy, Ukraine will fight on and European rearmament will provide deterrence against a wider conflict.
What is certain is that Nato nations broadly agree to Mr Trump’s demands to spend 5 per cent of gross domestic product on defence, although precisely when that will be achieved and what it means is not clear.
The Hague summit therefore is one of the most important Nato meetings in years. It was planned to address the hard truth that for too long European politicians have relied too much on the US defence umbrella.
Military experts have complained for years about Western Europe’s lack of preparation for conflict. I spoke a few days ago to one such expert, the British general Richard Shirreff, formerly Nato’s deputy supreme allied commander Europe.
In 2016, Gen Shirreff published a fictional predictive account of a future conflict entitled War with Russia: An Urgent Warning. Following the full Russian invasion of Ukraine, Europe’s Nato members at The Hague are at last taking up Gen Shirreff’s main theme and committing to higher spending.
This summit therefore is hugely significant both for a sense of unity in public and for the very private conversations on how Western Europe will come to terms with Mr Trump and the new world order – or disorder, following the US attack on Iran's nuclear sites, and Iran's subsequent strike on the US air base at Al Udeid in Qatar.
Mr Trump showed at the G7 meeting in Canada that he likes photocalls and short meetings with world leaders but loathes long and detailed multilateral meetings. Increased spending commitments may be good enough for a public show of Nato solidarity. But those private conversations between Nato leaders could be problematic.
First, the US commitment to the destruction of Iran’s nuclear programme means the Trump administration’s focus is for the foreseeable future not on Europe at all.
Iran’s promise of retaliation, possibly against US bases, embassies and personnel, particularly in the Middle East, could further embroil Washington in what some fear could be another American “forever war”, like Iraq or Afghanistan.
Second, disruption to oil and gas supplies – including oil sales from Iran to China, and concerns about potential disruption to oil fields in neighbouring Arab nations – could rock the world economy and expose further tensions between the Trump administration and America’s allies.
The main Nato discussions in The Hague appear to have been cut short to accommodate the US President. The final communique is expected to be brief.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte is said to have a good relationship with Mr Trump, but Mr Rutte has also suggested Russia could attack a Nato member within five years, so any diminishing American interest in Europe potentially implies diminishing deterrence.
All these threats explain why Nato has expanded hugely since 1949. Nations formerly in the Soviet orbit – Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia – are now Nato members. Traditionally neutral countries have also joined – Finland in 2023 and Sweden in 2024.
Nato’s 32 members therefore seem determined to cope with the challenges ahead, including perhaps the continuing loss of American interest.
The mood in The Hague recalls the old wisdom that if you want peace, prepare for war. Nato is in that preparatory phase right now. But one unanswered question keeps recurring. Has the US destroyed Iran’s enriched uranium, or – as some reports suggest – was it removed and hidden before the B2 bomber planes attacked?
Stats at a glance:
Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)
Number in service: 6
Complement 191 (space for up to 285)
Top speed: over 32 knots
Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles
Length 152.4 m
Displacement: 8,700 tonnes
Beam: 21.2 m
Draught: 7.4 m
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
Dubai World Cup nominations
UAE: Thunder Snow/Saeed bin Suroor (trainer), North America/Satish Seemar, Drafted/Doug Watson, New Trails/Ahmad bin Harmash, Capezzano, Gronkowski, Axelrod, all trained by Salem bin Ghadayer
USA: Seeking The Soul/Dallas Stewart, Imperial Hunt/Luis Carvajal Jr, Audible/Todd Pletcher, Roy H/Peter Miller, Yoshida/William Mott, Promises Fulfilled/Dale Romans, Gunnevera/Antonio Sano, XY Jet/Jorge Navarro, Pavel/Doug O’Neill, Switzerland/Steve Asmussen.
Japan: Matera Sky/Hideyuki Mori, KT Brace/Haruki Sugiyama. Bahrain: Nine Below Zero/Fawzi Nass. Ireland: Tato Key/David Marnane. Hong Kong: Fight Hero/Me Tsui. South Korea: Dolkong/Simon Foster.
CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES
Mar 10: Norwich(A)
Mar 13: Newcastle(H)
Mar 16: Lille(A)
Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)
Apr 2: Brentford(H)
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
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
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
if you go
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Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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