One of the more intriguing puzzles to have emerged from Syria’s long-standing civil war is the unholy alliance that has developed between Russia and Iran.
On one hand, Moscow and Tehran have become close allies committed to achieving the same goal – namely the survival of Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad’s regime.
On the other, a distinct wariness exists between the two countries over their long-term goals. For Moscow, the objective is relatively simple: to maintain the vital strategic military bases at Tartus and Latakia that date back to the Cold War era when Damascus was about Moscow’s only dependable ally in the region.
The Iranians, by contrast, nurture far more sinister ambitions. They regard the Syrian conflict as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand their political and military influence in the eastern Mediterranean, thereby enhancing their ability to dominate the Middle East while at the same time improving their capability to target their sworn enemy, Israel.
And it is the latter aspiration that now appears to have provided the first serious test of the Russia-Iran alliance in Syria.
The Russians have shown that they are quite happy to ignore Tehran's expansionist ambitions in the Middle East, particularly when they challenge the long-established American hegemony. From the Kremlin's point of view, any actions the Iranians take to cause discomfort to key American allies like Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states is welcome, as it raises questions about just how serious the Trump administration is about defending their interests.
Similarly, Iran’s attempts to fashion a pro-Tehran political settlement in Iraq are deemed to be helpful as they might frustrate Washington’s hopes of establishing a long-term relationship with Baghdad.
The Russians, though, are a great deal more circumspect when it comes to Iranian meddling in the affairs of Israel, a country with which the Kremlin has an ambiguous relationship, to say the least.
On one level, the Russians have reservations about dealing with the Israelis because of their close ties with Washington, especially since Donald Trump was elected president.
On another, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have developed a close personal accord, one where the two leaders are able to work together on issues of mutual interest.
A good example of this working relationship emerged this week with regards to the visa issues plaguing Roman Abramovich, the billionaire Russian oligarch who is known to enjoy good relations with Mr Putin. Mr Abramovich, who is perhaps better known as the owner of Chelsea Football Club, is experiencing difficulties renewing his visa to remain in the UK, where he owns a multi-million pound residence, because of the new demands being made by authorities to tighten up on Russian activities in the UK.
To bypass these embarrassing difficulties, Mr Abramovich has been given Israeli citizenship, thereby giving him free rein to visit the UK whenever he wants because there are no visa restrictions between the UK and the Jewish state.
Now the close relationship between Mr Putin and Mr Netanyanu is paying dividends in Syria where, following deepening concerns in Israel about Iran’s growing military strength on the Israeli border, there is growing evidence that Moscow is prepared to act against its erstwhile ally Iran.
Recent reports suggest that the Russians, who are said to control about fifty percent of the country, are contemplating a deal whereby the Iranians and their Shiite allies withdraw their forces from the Syria-Israel border.
The latest intelligence reports say there are now around 2,000 Iranian officers and advisers – many of them members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps – based in the country, and around 9,000 militiamen drawn from countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, as well as 7,000 fighters from Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. In addition Iran is said to have shipped tens of thousands of medium and long-range missiles to Syria, positioning the majority of them close to the Syrian border where the Iranians have constructed a network of military bases.
Russian disquiet about Iran’s long-term objectives in Syria surfaced after Israel launched a series of air strikes against Iranian positions in early May, thereby raising tensions between Iran and Israel to the highest level for many years.
At the time the Russians said they would not interfere with the Israeli air strikes, even though, technically, they were taking place in an area the Russians are supposed to be protecting on behalf of the Assad regime, and where they have deployed highly sophisticated anti-aircraft missile systems.
But then, we should not really be surprised by this ambivalent attitude on the part of Moscow. There have been several occasions during the course of the Syrian conflict when Moscow has turned a blind eye to Israeli acts of aggression against Iran's military assets in Syria, and it seems as though Moscow intends to adopt a similar approach if the Iranians continue with their efforts to threaten the Israeli border.
For the bottom line is that the Kremlin has no interest in picking a fight with the Israelis.
The Russians’ primary interest in Syria is – and always has been – the protection of its Syrian military bases. The Kremlin is not prepared to tolerate any act that gets in the way of achieving this central mission.
Con Coughlin is the Daily Telegraph’s defence and foreign affairs editor
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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if you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals (more at www.hertz.com/etihad). A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The%20Color%20Purple
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Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
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
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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
Ferrari
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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 specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
Brief scores:
England: 290 & 346
Sri Lanka: 336 & 243
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Fiorentina v Torino (8pm)
Hellas Verona v Roma (10.45pm)
Sunday
Parma v Napoli (2.30pm)
Genoa v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (8pm)
Juventus v Sampdoria (10.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)
Playing September 30
Benevento v Inter Milan (8pm)
Udinese v Spezia (8pm)
Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
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The Breadwinner
Director: Nora Twomey
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Laara Sadiq
Three stars
Indika
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