American policy in Syria has over the past decade been chaotic, bumbling and tragic in equal measure. From an early reluctance to call on President Bashar Al Assad to step down, to absurd attempts to back the opposition with just enough arms to maintain a stalemate without doing anything to protect civilians from the destruction, and America's failure to act on its own chemical weapons red lines, the US policy on Syria helped seal the ultimate defeat of the rebellion.
That lack of coherence in America's regional strategy manifested under former US president Barack Obama, when he negotiated a nuclear deal with Iran, while attempting neither to tame its regional ambitions nor the proxy militias that were unleashing havoc in Syria.
Washington’s focus on counter-terrorism – through a narrow campaign to defeat ISIS – without trying to address the violence and power vacuum that led to the rise of the group’s depraved ideology, gave carte blanche to Mr Al Assad and his backers to violently subdue his own populace.
Even Mr Obama’s vaunted deal to strip Damascus of its chemical weapons arsenal, after the latter used it to kill over a 1000 people in the towns of Eastern Ghouta in 2013, did not prevent other chemical atrocities in Khan Sheikhun and Douma, as well as dozens of chlorine attacks.
Donald Trump did more than his predecessor to punish Mr Al Assad through limited strikes after chemical attacks and through wide-ranging sanctions, but his tweet-based foreign policy and impulsive troop withdrawals ensured that Washington had little capacity to influence peace negotiations, which were dominated by Russia, Iran and Turkey. This resulted in a deadlock.
The next US president has the opportunity to revive these stalled peace talks and leverage the broad and tough Caesar sanctions, which the US imposed earlier this year, to push for a political resolution. Failing to do so risks perpetuating a frozen conflict and heaping further misery upon Syria's beleaguered people.
US involvement in Syria began with a call in October 2011 for Mr Al Assad to step down, followed by non-lethal aid for the Syrian opposition. Separate CIA and Pentagon programmes were set to arm Syrian rebel groups, but only succeeded in providing a little weaponry to carefully vetted rebel groups that had little influence on the ground, and certainly no arsenal that could have allowed them to shoot down Mr Al Assad's warplanes.
These programmes eventually descended into farce when the campaign against ISIS began, as the US insisted that those weapons should be used to combat terrorist groups rather than the regime, and were eventually cancelled.
Despite declaring chemical weapons a red line, the US dithered when they were used, allowing the Assad regime to continue to wage its campaign that killed hundreds of thousands of civilians with impunity.
The US focused its military efforts to defeat ISIS after the group declared its false caliphate. Washington backed Kurdish militias that spearheaded the assault on the terrorists' strongholds, alienating Turkey, which saw the strongholds as a national security threat.
The next US president also has an opportunity to undo a decade of damage
The lack of a clear strategy was manifest in Mr Trump's sudden decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, a surprise to most diplomats, analysts and his own military, prompting the resignation of his defence secretary and abandoning his Kurdish allies, who were forced to seek a rapprochement with the Assad regime.
American involvement in Syria is not necessarily altogether good, but at the very least it counters the influence of Russia and Iran, that have aided Mr Al Assad’s worst excesses. And Turkey, which is primarily interested in prosecuting its conflict with the Kurds, and building a sphere of influence along its southern border, rather than striving for a comprehensive peace.
The Caesar Act offers a useful leverage point for the next US president to push for tangible political reforms in exchange for lifting the sanctions, which are primarily aimed, at least publicly, at holding accountable Syria’s war criminals.
Inadvertently, Mr Trump has created conditions – through the Caesar Act and the wide-ranging sanctions against Iran – for the US to force a re-examination of the peace process and to offer incentives to Mr Al Assad's staunchest backers to come to the negotiating table and seriously discuss ways to end the war.
But the next US president also has an opportunity to undo a decade of damage that Mr Obama’s craven policies and Mr Trump’s term have done – not just in Syria but to international norms at large.
The effects of the Syrian conflict have been felt beyond the country’s borders. It triggered a refugee crisis that reshaped politics in Europe. It also eroded customs against bombing hospitals, starving civilians to death and using chemical weapons. Allowing war crimes such as these to continue enshrines barbarity instead of decency.
The next US president, whether it is Joe Biden or Donald Trump, must work seriously towards solving the Syrian crisis. The rejuvenation of a decrepit entity we call the international community depends on it.
Kareem Shaheen is a veteran Middle East correspondent in Canada and a columnist for The National
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
more from Janine di Giovanni
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
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
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Results
2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)
2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT)
Tuesday
Mairobr v Liverpool
Spartak Moscow v Sevilla
Feyenoord v Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester City v Napoli
Monaco v Besiktas
RB Leipzig v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
Wednesday
Benfica v Manchester United
CSKA Moscow v Basel
Bayern Munich v Celtic
Anderlecht v Paris Saint-Germain
Qarabag v Atletico Madrid
Chelsea v Roma
Barcelona v Olympiakos
Juventus v Sporting Lisbon
The%20specs
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Du Plessis plans his retirement
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in two years' time will be his last.
Du Plessis, 34, who has led his country in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016, is keen to play a third but will then step aside.
"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I'm really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said in Brisbane ahead of a one-off T20 against Australia on Saturday.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Milestones on the road to union
1970
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.
The biog
Birthday: February 22, 1956
Born: Madahha near Chittagong, Bangladesh
Arrived in UAE: 1978
Exercise: At least one hour a day on the Corniche, from 5.30-6am and 7pm to 8pm.
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi? “Everywhere. Wherever you go, you can relax.”
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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