After a turbulent week, with tensions between Iran and the US reaching new heights, it seems we are on the brink of a precipice. Tehran has wreaked havoc across the region – from Yemen and Iraq to Lebanon and Syria – after effectively being handed billions of dollars with the flawed 2015 nuclear deal and expanding its military presence in a number of Arab countries.
This week marked an escalation in tensions, with Iran suspending parts of the nuclear deal and Iran-backed Houthis striking an oil pipeline that traverses Saudi Arabia. While a multilateral investigation is underway to find the perpetrators of an act of sabotage on tankers off the coast of Fujairah, concerns are raised after repeated threats from Tehran to target the region's critical waterways, from the Bab El Mandeb to the Strait of Hormuz. The US, which has recognised the menace of the regime and says it has proof of "heightened threats", has reportedly drawn up plans to dispatch 120,000 troops to the region.
This is a precarious moment and as UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said on Sunday: "In these times we need to emphasise caution and good judgment." His level-headedness is not just welcome but vitally important. While some seek to provoke, cool heads are needed. The region is still recovering from the scars of previous wars and neither leaders nor their people will want a new war in the region. While Iranian malevolence must be recognised and exposed, there is, as Dr Gargash says, a commitment to "de-escalation, peace and stability". Behind his statement is a UAE policy rooted in supporting stability.
The chief culprits of regional interference are not the long-suffering Iranian people but their leaders, who appear determined to destabilise the region. Before US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal last year, Iran used the proceeds to fund its proxies and continue its ballistic missile programme. Although some European powers remain committed to the nuclear deal, in truth it is defunct. Indeed, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has now threatened to withdraw from it amid a stringent US sanctions regime, which is crippling the Iranian economy. The Iranian regime is retaliating, but wiser counsel must prevail.
The UAE is striking a delicate balance between holding Iran to account for its regional adventurism and avoiding a military confrontation that will serve no one’s interests. Dr Gargash’s emollient words and calls for an “adult mentality” are greatly encouraging, particularly given the torrent of misinformation exacerbating the current crisis. Recent fake news reports, from the exodus of oil companies from Iraq to rocket attacks on US bases in the country, add to a heightened sense of uncertainty. At this tense moment, all sides must exercise restraint and choose their words wisely, avoiding "accidental" conflicts that could easily get out of control.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
The%20specs
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U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
- Saturday 15 January: UAE beat Canada by 49 runs
- Thursday 20 January: v England
- Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad:
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles
Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly,
Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya
Shetty, Kai Smith
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
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