Since they first formed in 2015, Syrian Democratic Forces have trodden a careful path on precarious ground, made all the more treacherous because of internal divisions, inter-communal violence and opposition from Turkey. Yet despite this minefield of interests, the US-backed coalition of Kurds, Syrians and Arabs successfully managed to recapture Manbij, Tabqa and Raqqa from ISIS and is now on the threshold of seizing the final terrorist stronghold, the village of Baghouz. In addition to battling extremists, the SDF worked to establish legislative and military councils and earned praise from various American and European officials who engaged with them. In 2017, US commander Raymond Thomas, who told the Aspen Security Forum that they were ready to govern responsibly. Yet now, despite playing a vital role in depriving ISIS of land control, their future hangs in the balance. Recognition of their triumphs threatens to be obliterated as they find themselves at the behest of self-serving competing regional and global powers operating in Syria. The SDF now face the prospect of losing lands held in northern Syria and a Turkish onslaught.
Ankara considers the YPG, which dominates the SDF, to be a terrorist organisation because of its affiliation with PKK militants within Turkey’s borders. Comments last week by Turkish defence minister Helusi Akar – who vowed intervention in SDF lands in northern Syria – and demands from Ankara to solely monitor the northern borderlands have left the group appealing for protection. The force cannot be abandoned in their hour of need.
US President Donald Trump's shock decision in December to withdraw 2,000 troops from Syria threatens their existence and strips them of protection. It also leaves them with few options, hence their mooted contingency plan of approaching the Syrian regime for protection – a scheme that has drawn the ire of US general Paul LaCamera, who promised to sever ties should they partner with the regime or its Russian backers. Yet, few immediate options remain for the SDF.
As Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Arab League secretary general, said at the Munich Security Conference, they should be supported in establishing control over their territories. He rejected suggestions that Turkish or European forces should be drafted in to police SDF lands. His statement rightly recognised those who applied the antidote to the poison of ISIS. It is a message that the rest of the world should heed.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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.
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
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
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Super Saturday race card
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
