The new caliphate that the Salafist jihadist group the Islamic State (IS) – formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) – has announced is primarily a propaganda trick. What is serious is that the group has established itself as a key force in the plains extending from eastern Syria to western Iraq, captured strategic oil infrastructure, secured significant financial resources, threatened a major Middle Eastern capital (Baghdad), and is bent on enlarging its footprint.
Observers need to understand the circumstances that have allowed – and continue to allow – jihadists to build such serious capabilities. Simplifications – that Sunni jihadists are fighting a Shiite administration in Iraq and an Alawite power structure in Syria – slice complex situations into their basic ingredients. But the Sunni-Shiite confrontation is but a single component in the ominous mosaic that is today’s Eastern Mediterranean. Other components have played decisive roles in bringing about the present situation.
The first is that the borders of all Eastern Mediterranean countries, designed by Britain and France right before the fall of the Ottoman Empire, were drawn based on the interests of the colonial powers, more than on historical or social drivers.
This, by itself, should not have been an insurmountable problem. The same happened in Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries. The problem was that most of the regimes that ruled the region’s countries after the withdrawal of colonial powers failed to develop political legitimacy or effect major developmental leaps that could have cemented the new states.
Instead, these regimes gradually descended into oppression, corruption, coercion, and, by the 1990s, familial fiefdoms. The borders remained, but the aspirations that accompanied the birth of these new countries were slowly disappearing.
The second is history. Unlike North Africa, the Nile valley, and the Gulf, the Eastern Mediterranean, because of its rich and volatile history, has, for centuries, been the home of very distinct religious communities whose social norms and cultures were vastly different.
The emergence of national identities in the late 19th century; the creation, in the 1920s, of the modern Eastern Mediterranean states; and the momentum that Arab nationalism had given them in the 1950s and 1960s, seemed to offer a new frame of reference that could encompass all of these diverse communities.
But as the regimes degenerated, and as the socio-political systems were systematically weakened, the unifying identities were gradually diluted.
Amid this decline, religious identity – the third factor – was one of the few certainties left. Both the colonialists and the regimes that followed them had tried, at different stages, to co-opt, use, and crush the political factions of the religions of their countries.
But, realising the deep religiosity of the region’s people and the central role that religion has always played in their lives, none has tried to quell the religious identity.
By itself, this also should not have been a problem. But the challenge here was that the gradual dilution of the fabric of the states left religion as the strongest, and in several cases the sole, thread gathering each of these diverse groups. And in a region that, for decades, has suffered massacres, tyranny, and discrimination, and amidst the lack of transformative development, this sectarianism became parched grass awaiting sparks by any blowing wind – most recently Salafist jihadism.
The fourth factor was the emergence of alternatives to the central state. As the links between different groups and the state to which they belonged became increasingly tenuous, these groups turned to institutions that had credibility and the ability to deliver on social and economic needs. In a few cases, for example in parts of Lebanon, these were progressive civil society organisations.
But, by and large, the alternatives to the state were religious institutions, many of which never subscribed to the notion of the national, secular state.
This turning to religion gained momentum amidst an explosion in digital communication. As thousands of young Middle Easterners flocked to embrace Sunni, Shiite, Druze, Christian Orthodox, Catholic Maronite, and other identities, the traditional authorities of these religious sects were losing the control that they had exerted for centuries over religious narratives.
Through hundreds of websites, chat rooms, satellite channels, and peer to peer communication methods, the religious messages that the new generation were receiving were less the mainstream ones of the authorities and more propaganda, incitement, probing, and recruitment from marginal, and in many cases extremist, groups – from all religions.
And then there is the regional situation. Throughout the past half century, because of their own interests, the four countries that have orchestrated the region’s politics – Egypt, Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia – have tried to minimise the spread of mass-violence in their neighbourhoods. That proved relatively successful during the Cold War, as well as in the last two decades of American hegemony.
But as some of these powers, primarily for internal reasons, had lost interest or influence, and as the strategic struggle between Iran and Saudi has been elevated to a higher gear, opportunities arose for non-state actors to build significant war capabilities and to extend their presence beyond the areas in which they grew. The Lebanese Hizbollah, which has been a decisive pro-Assad force in the Syrian conflict, is but the most conspicuous example.
To a large extent, the Eastern Mediterranean is reaching the end of the period that began with the withdrawal of colonialism. The notion of governing by consent (a cornerstone of Arab nationalism’s legitimacy in the 1950s and 1960s) is gone. And as the wave of Arab uprisings – even the ones that failed – is increasingly proving, governing by coercion is going.
None of the factors above will be reversed anytime soon. This could mean that the region will experience a period of anarchy and bursts of extreme violence. And not a single regional or international state has the combination of will, resources, and tenacity to impose a new order.
Two factors, however, inspire hope that the growth and spread of Salafist jihadists can be stemmed.
The first is that the unfolding chaos and violence will likely convince the leaders of the various communities in the region to cease backing the politicians, warlords, and families whose interests lie at the heart of the current struggles.
This is beginning to happen in Iraq where Shiites and Sunnis have begun searching for new political leaderships. The same could take place among Syria’s Alawites, though likely at a high and bloody cost.
The second factor is that the jihadists’ declared objective of widening their presence – the borders of their caliphate – would trigger further waves of violence and chaos, a prospect that could persuade the leaders of these communities to find peaceful ways to govern.
There are signs that federalism could become a reality in Iraq in the medium term. Some sort of federal structures could also materialise in Syria if, as many expect, the war there reaches an impasse.
The emergence of new leaders, the gradual acceptance of creative forms of governing and fairer distributions of the economic assets of these countries would dilute many of the reasons that animate these youths of these countries. If these factors fail to materialise, the jihadist threat will exacerbate the tumult that the Eastern Mediterranean currently witnesses, and will spread to the Gulf and parts of North Africa.
Tarek Osman, a political economist, is the author of Egypt on the Brink and presenter of the BBC’s The Making of the Modern Arab World
On Twitter: @TarekmOsman
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 | 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,600m.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23
Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3
Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
FIXTURES
Thursday
Dibba v Al Dhafra, Fujairah Stadium (5pm)
Al Wahda v Hatta, Al Nahyan Stadium (8pm)
Friday
Al Nasr v Ajman, Zabeel Stadium (5pm)
Al Jazria v Al Wasl, Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium (8pm)
Saturday
Emirates v Al Ain, Emirates Club Stadium (5pm)
Sharjah v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Sharjah Stadium (8pm)
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
All%20We%20Imagine%20as%20Light
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPayal%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kani%20Kusruti%2C%20Divya%20Prabha%2C%20Chhaya%20Kadam%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Final round
25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)
23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)
21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)
20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)
19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E660hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C100Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488km-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh850%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOctober%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Fast%20X
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Louis%20Leterrier%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vin%20Diesel%2C%20Michelle%20Rodriguez%2C%20Jason%20Statham%2C%20Tyrese%20Gibson%2C%20Ludacris%2C%20Jason%20Momoa%2C%20John%20Cena%2C%20Jordana%20Brewster%2C%20Nathalie%20Emmanuel%2C%20Sung%20Kang%2C%20Brie%20Larson%2C%20Helen%20Mirren%20and%20Charlize%20Theron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
