It is a rare thing for politicians to admit flaws. Yet in a refreshingly candid speech in Abu Dhabi this week, former US defence secretary James Mattis spoke of Washington's frailties as well as its strengths and put across the strongest possible case for multilateralism. At times, he said, it might seem "like it's chaotic in Washington…It can certainly cause concern to our friends to look at this and say: 'Wow, is America coming apart at the seams?'" Yet in the face of internal divisions in Capitol Hill, he said, it was alliances such as the US-UAE relationship that laid the foundations for a stronger future, particularly in the face of the continuing threat from Iran.
Mr Mattis has been coming to the Middle East for four decades and is no stranger to the complexities of its geopolitics, nor to the rapid development that has transformed the UAE into a key strategic and business partner for the US. When he resigned as defence secretary in December last year, it was over political differences with president Donald Trump, who had just announced a withdrawal of US troops from Syria and Afghanistan. An Iran hawk, he has long warned officials of the threat posed by Tehran and its proxies, describing the regime as "the single most enduring threat to stability and peace" in the Middle East. He was also a vociferous critic of the 2015 nuclear deal. In this, the US and UAE are greatly aligned. The impact of Tehran and its proxies has been evident this week, from sabre-rattling threats to the US from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps to attacks from Iran-backed militia on a Saudi oil pipeline. These events, as Mr Mattis said, highlight "why Iran's behaviour must change", and highlight the need for putting up a united front: "This is an area where we are in agreement." As he pointed out, unilateralism will not work in countering a threat which spans the globe. Tehran's nefarious behaviour is wide-ranging and aims to cause maximum disruption globally.
To that end, the former defence chief called for a day when the GCC is "once again back together and united" to act as a bulwark against such misdemeanours. His speech was, in essence, a call for greater unity everywhere: from the transcontinental alliance with the UAE to solidarity between Muslims worldwide. While the US is wrangling with internal struggles and figuring out its place in the world, further challenged by competition for influence from China and Russia, bonds such as the relationship with the UAE will help both "find their way back to common ground". The need to counter Iran's influence has strengthened ties with the UAE, despite the US administration's sometimes erratic Middle East strategy. With the advantage of years of experience, seasoned politician Mr Mattis is an advocate for resolving disputes through political settlements and believes "Washington needs to engage more in the world and intervene militarily less". Only by engaging in multilateral dialogue can the US really work out its role in a changing world.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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