In June 2009, former US president Barack Obama delivered a speech from Cairo, addressing the entire Islamic world. For an hour, Muslims worldwide were promised a US administration that would be an unambiguous friend. A new, lofty American approach was promised, matched with quotations from the Quran and praise for the beauty of the Islamic tradition. Mr Obama became the man of the moment in the Middle East. And yet what followed in terms of policy implementation fell beyond most expectation.
The early "Muslim ban" of President Donald Trump's administration, which now imposes stringent travel restrictions on citizens of 13 countries, could not have presented a greater contrast. It was seen by many as a blunt and unfair move – evidence of an American position of “guilty until proven innocent” towards people based on religion.
Now, President-elect Joe Biden's incoming chief of staff has said the new administration will reverse the ban. Symbolically, this is a significant move. On a practical level, it could reunite families, allow talented Muslims to contribute to American society and reverse bizarre anomalies, such as complicated visa application procedures that apply to people with dual nationality from the banned countries.
Despite the blunt tone of the ban, it is important to note that the precedent for making travel to the US harder for some Muslims was set in motion by Mr Obama. In 2015, his administration complicated visa applications for anyone from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Syria, Sudan, Iran and Iraq. The new measures also applied to people from any nation worldwide who had visited these countries labelled “countries of concern” after March 2011, or held dual citizenship. European citizens whose families hailed from those countries or held dual citizenship were also included in a measure the Obama administration said was addressing “the growing threat from foreign terrorist fighters”.
Countries have the right to ensure their national security. Many tightened borders after a wave of uprisings in 2011 destabilised the Middle East and as the West experienced a wave of terror attacks – although some were committed by western citizens, not immigrants. This was partly motivated by domestic politics; fears over immigration throughout the West can now swing elections.
All administrations, especially those who start from strongly idealistic positions, eventually have to confront the contradiction between lofty visions for a better future and the complex reality of realising one. For Mr Obama, the wet blankets were the financial crisis and a rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East. In Cairo, the region was promised prosperity. In reality, the Obama administration used 10 times as many drone strikes as those ordered during the entire Bush administration.
President Trump's "Muslim ban" affected citizens of countries such as Iraq and Syria. APPhoto
All administrations have to confront the contradiction between lofty visions for a better future and the complex reality of realising one
Mr Biden's ideals will be dampened by an even tougher medley that includes the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and more complicated geopolitics than four years ago.
Many expect him to fill the vacuum created by Mr Trump's desire to withdraw the US from active global leadership. With America's departure, other nations have stepped into fill the void. It is harder to reclaim this space than it is to leave it.
Managing a changed world requires new approaches. Mr Biden's proposed foreign policy team is experienced, but almost entirely drawn from the Obama era. They cannot afford to replicate the policies of old.
The incoming administration is right to spot the important symbolism of revoking the "Muslim ban". But in order to confront the difficulties of today's unstable world, good oratory and ambitious promises will not be enough. Mr Biden will have to assess frankly how the world has changed and implement decisive measures in response.
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa Women’s World Series: Australia Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles UAE National Schools: Al Safa School International Invitational: Speranza 22 International Vets: Joining Jack
Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
Travel distance: Limited
Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
Duration: Can linger for days
Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
