Syria is a country experiencing two realities. At the level of high diplomacy, the change from the Bashar Al Assad era is remarkable. Earlier this week, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani spoke with State Department officials in New York, the first time American figures and Mr Al Shibani have met in the US. The meeting came after Mr Al Shibani raised Syria’s new flag at the UN. Just days before, Saudi Arabia and Qatar said they would settle Syria’s World Bank debts of about $15 million. Last Friday, the UK lifted a tranche of sanctions including those imposed on its defence, financial and energy sectors, an important step in restoring the country’s economy.
On the streets of Homs, Damascus and other parts of Syria however, serious challenges are arising. Another outbreak of sectarian violence, this time involving Druze fighters, militants aligned with President Ahmad Al Shara’s Hayat Tahrir Al Sham and unidentified gunmen, threatens to tip the country into another full-blown crisis.
The trigger for the clashes appears to be a doctored video circulating online, purportedly showing a Druze cleric insulting the Prophet Mohammed – an audio fabrication debunked by both the Syrian authorities and Druze religious leaders. In a fragile country where differences between religious and ethnic communities were exploited by the previous establishment, the spread of such disinformation is proving deadly. However, hopes that the security forces can swiftly restore order must be tempered by the fact that Syria is less than two months on from similarly alarming violence.
March’s string of attacks in coastal Syria in which nearly 1,400 civilians – most of them from the minority Alawite community – lost their lives should have been the moment for the government to ensure accountability for those found guilty of crimes. Despite some initial steps, this process has not been quick enough.
Instead, the country’s fragile sectarian mix remains painfully vulnerable to attack from a combination of local warlords, foreign fighters and even manipulation from outside in the form of Israeli military interventions, masquerading as protecting Druze communities. In addition, the hard work Syria’s new administration has undertaken to restore relationships with neighbours like Lebanon, the wider Arab world, Europe and the US is imperilled by the sight of gunmen exchanging fire in the suburbs of Syrian towns and cities. To ensure sustained international support for Syria’s project of stabilising the country, this violence must not only be stopped, it must be banished for good.
Verbal and political disagreements are better than letting gunmen set the pace
The HTS-led administration – despite its roots as an insurgent movement – has plenty of experience in governing, having overseen an imperfect but largely stable system when it controlled Syria’s Idlib province. It should harness this experience to dismantle rogue militias and build on practical achievements such as the March 10 agreement to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces into the country’s state structures. Socially and politically, Damascus must renew and expand its National Dialogue for all of Syria’s communities to chart an agreed future.
None of this is easy and political disagreements are to be expected. But working through these issues politically is vital; gunmen cannot set the pace. Syria still has the chance to build a future of recovery and renewal. Its leaders, governmental and from the community, must act now to make that chance a reality.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
More coverage from the Future Forum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
