Donald Trump left the White House in disgrace. The only US president to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives – the Senate acquitted him both times – Mr Trump remains a central focus of congressional efforts to investigate the January 6 Capitol riots, which he stands accused of having instigated. His once prolific Twitter account has been suspended permanently. The legacy of his chaotic foray into domestic and foreign policy remains the subject of bitter partisan discord – with one notable exception.
Brokering the Abraham Accords, the set of agreements signed in September that normalised Israel’s ties with the UAE and Bahrain, was arguably Mr Trump's only significant diplomatic achievement to win praise from Republicans and Democrats alike. For any imperfections, the deal has already opened the door to broader reconciliation; Israel established formal ties subsequently with both Sudan and Morocco. The imperatives of global security dictate that this venture must not be allowed to fail.
Mr Biden should make the Abraham Accords his own
The specific nomenclature of the Abraham Accords – a familiar trademark from the Trump era – should not deter his successor, Joe Biden, from embracing the innovative substance of the framework.
Continuity of US involvement is important in strengthening these groundbreaking relationships between the Gulf states and Israel – a welcome break from years of trying to mitigate problems that existed between them. The expanded normalisation of ties among these former adversaries enhances regional stability and amplifies the reach of what could become a contemporary version of the vaunted Pax Americana. It provides breathing room for the US and its allies to address the world's other pressing challenges.
Peace between long-time foes serves as a force multiplier in acting against those in the Middle East who perpetuate strife and hostility. That is precisely why the US and other stakeholders in the region should try to ensure the success of this process through all means at their disposal. Last October's launch of the Abraham Fund – a trilateral $3 billion initiative of the US International Development Finance Corporation, the UAE and Israel – was a significant step in this direction. The programme seeks to mobilise "private sector-led investment and development initiatives to promote regional economic co-operation and prosperity in the Middle East and beyond". It also invites additional partners to participate in strategic infrastructure projects designed to foster hope and reconciliation.
Jewish celebrations and ceremonies have been taking place across the UAE. AP
Recent media reports have suggested that the new administration could wind up leaving the Abraham Fund to wither on the vine. That would be an unfortunate development. It would be wiser to resolve confusion surrounding the current fate of the endowment and to leverage its work, instead, to pursue positive change in line with American interests. Even worse would be if the accomplishments of the Abraham Accords themselves were neglected and allowed to disintegrate. Their demise would weaken the edifice of peace, with devastating consequences for the future of multilateral co-ordination in exploring renewed engagement with Iran.
The hour is ripe to capitalise on a breakthrough that has brought down barriers that seemed impermeable between Arabs and Israelis, many of whom are now meeting each other up close for the first time. On October 15, the Atlantic Council, the Emirates Policy Centre in Abu Dhabi and the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv inaugurated a first-of-its-kind collaborative hub to advance this enterprise.
March 1 saw Mohamed Al Khaja, the first Emirati ambassador to Israel, present his credentials to that country's President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem. More milestones are certain to follow. The announcement by US State Department spokesman Ned Price that Mr Biden hopes to help forge "a historic peace" between Saudi Arabia and Israel indicates that the President does not want to squander the opportunity he inherited from the previous administration.
Mr Biden should make the Abraham Accords his own. Picking up where Mr Trump left off, he can build on the deal, welcome new members into the club and cement Israel's acceptance in the Middle East. There is even an outside chance that this rapprochement will create new conditions that could persuade Palestinians and Israelis to come to terms with each other finally. Investing resources to help strengthen the budding partnership between the Gulf states and Israel is a win-win proposition for the US and its Middle East allies that is simply too good to neglect.
Shalom Lipner and Jonathan Ferziger are non-resident senior fellows at the Atlantic Council in Washington
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
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Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)
Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)
Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
The biog:
Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian
Favourite food: Pizza
Best food on the road: rice
Favourite colour: silver
Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda
Favourite biking destination: Canada
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 4 (Mount 18',Werner 44', Hudson-Odoi 49', Havertz 85')
Joe Root (captain), Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia
When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle
Results
Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3
Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer
Catchweight 73kg: Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision
Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury
