Earlier this month, the Pentagon issued a warning that ISIS militants are regrouping and that they could regain control of territory within six to 12 months, if significant action is not taken to counter their activities.
In a quarterly report intended to track the progress made against the extremist group, the US military warned that ISIS is consolidating at a faster pace in Iraq than in Syria, where, two years after declaring victory, the government struggles to provide basic housing and health services for its people. The potent mix of security vacuums, a proliferation of arms, large numbers of unemployed men – whose only skill might be fighting – and long-held grievances still exists.
And yet, the impact of ISIS is not restricted to Iraq and Syria, nor to the domestic political situations of each. The militant group’s ability to attract thousands of foreign fighters ensured it had far greater reach than other militant groups. Late in 2014, the CIA estimated that there were 15,000 foreign fighters in ISIS ranks, with several thousand from Europe and hundreds from North America, either fighting or choosing to live in ISIS-held territories. Huge efforts were made to profile those fighters and to understand what could possibly drive young Europeans or Americans to pick up arms for ISIS. Even more baffling was the decision of dozens of young women to head to Iraq and Syria to support ISIS, many of them becoming brides for the militants.
Defeating the ideology of ISIS requires casting a strong light on those who championed the terror group and now face its decline
There is an undeniable curiosity about what drives ISIS recruits and supporters. In the past few weeks, captured members of the extremist group have been getting hours of airtime, as international journalists have been given rare access to interview them. The Syrian Democratic Forces holding ISIS fighters are granting interviews to journalists, in part to force the governments of foreigners to take them back. The SDF's fears are that an imminent US withdrawal or reduction of troops will allow these fighters to escape. So far, western governments have declared themselves unwilling to take back fighters and supporters who chose to join ISIS and renounce their own systems of government. This is an abdication of responsibility that cannot be ignored.
Shamima Begum is a case in point. Begum fled the UK to join ISIS and has put a renewed spotlight on the teenagers who were recruited to the ranks of the militant group. Just 15 years old when she arrived in Syria, Begum married an ISIS fighter soon after and is now appealing to return to the UK. She has tried to manipulate media attention to get there. The British government's response of stripping her of British citizenship has been telling. Not wanting to deal with this crisis, the UK's Home Office has moved to revoke the citizenship a British-born woman rather than seeking to try her.
The frenzy of commentary on the stripping of Begum's citizenship is warranted. The precedent it sets of revoking the passports of children of immigrants threatens to create a two-tier citizenry within the UK, where descendants of immigrants can be seen as not really belonging. At a time when hate crimes are on the rise and immigration is used as a political football, this is a worrying development. It was wrong of the UK government to assume that Begum, who has never visited Bangladesh, should be sent to her parents' country of birth. Her son, born to a British mother, should mean he has rights as a British citizen but with her current stateless position, an innocent newborn is facing an even bleaker future.
In an interview with The National, the UK's Minister of State for the Middle East Alistair Burt said Begum would face a fair trial in the UK, if she made her own way back to the country. And yet no real effort is being made to have her face court, despite new laws being passed by Parliament last week to prepare for such cases of returning ISIS recruits. The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act increases sentencing powers for supporting proscribed organisations and taking part in any terrorist-related activity.
The new legislation undoubtedly was brought in because one the biggest challenges in the war against terrorism since September 11, 2001, has been the international failure of judicial systems to try those accused of supporting it. From Guantanamo Bay detention camp housing Al Qaeda members to thousands of detainees held without trial in Iraq and Afghanistan, international actors have not met the challenge of championing justice through proper legal channels. Defeating ISIS and terrorist ideologies requires upholding laws and due process.
Making an example of Begum is important. No one should be under the illusion that they can get away with supporting the mass murder of innocent civilians and the imposition of a violent cult. Defeating the ideology of ISIS requires casting a strong light on those who championed the terror group and now face its decline. Although Begum has not voiced remorse, seeing her, and others like her, on the decline is a significant moment in marking the defeat of ISIS – at least for the time being. However, what is more important is to present a coherent and fair judicial process to try those accused of crimes against humanity – because that is what Begum and all those who stood with ISIS are really guilty of.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Fixtures:
Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final
Table:
1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10
2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8
3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6
4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4
5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
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
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
Fixtures:
Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
Al Wasl v Dibba, 7.45pm
Friday:
Al Dhafra v Al Nasr, 5.05pm
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al Wahda, 7.45pm
Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
