Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, unannounced, middle-of-the-night visits by top American officials to regional hotspots have become regular occurrences. Security is the most obvious reason for dropping in after hours, but in the case of President Barack Obama's surprise visit to Afghanistan yesterday, we add another reason: to wake President Hamid Karzai from his slumber.
Until now, pleas to Mr Karzai to stem government corruption have failed to rouse him, even when the petitioners showing up at the presidential palace in Kabul were the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, and the US defence secretary Robert Gates. That's why Mr Obama decided to deliver the message in person this time.
It has been clear for some time that in Washington's view, Mr Karzai just doesn't get it. In January, he pledged to make progress in cleaning up his government and making it more accountable. Since then, he has opposed anti-corruption efforts and sought to appoint warlords to his cabinet.
Mr Obama can ill-afford a somnolent Mr Karzai. The decision by Washington to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan has effectively made the war against the Taliban insurgency Mr Obama's war. By the end of this year, there will be more than 100,000 American soldiers on Afghan soil.
Even as preparations get under way to lay siege to Kandahar, the Taliban's political and spiritual stronghold, Mr Obama knows that no military force can succeed unless the Afghan government succeeds. Government corruption can neutralise or reverse any military gain on the ground. Indeed, it is one of the Taliban's chief recruiting tools.
Washington isn't the only disgruntled party; Mr Karzai is unhappy, too. When US bombs kill Afghan civilians, it is he, not the American president, who suffers most politically. It is also Mr Karzai, not Mr Obama, who resides in the neighbourhood full-time - a fact that American officials clumsily minimised when they groused about his two recent meetings with their bête noire, the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Their mutual disappointment and incomprehension notwithstanding, Mr Obama has every right to awaken Mr Karzai to the desperate need for better, cleaner government. Both stand much to lose if the Afghan president fails. Most importantly, so do 28 million Afghans.
Result
UAE (S. Tagliabue 90 1') 1-2 Uzbekistan (Shokhruz Norkhonov 48', 86')
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Company%20profile
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The five pillars of Islam
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less