The UAE has been ranked as even more peaceful in 2018 compared to last year even as the Middle East region as a whole remains the least peaceful in the world, according to a survey of 163 countries.
The Emirates has risen 12 places in the annual global peace index published by the Institute of Economics and Peace.
The country also ranked the second most peaceful in the Mena region behind Kuwait, which has emerged as the chief mediator in the Qatar crisis moving it up five places to 41st in the index. Qatar experienced the highest drop of all countries on the list, plummeting 26 places to 56th.
Steve Killelea, chairman of the think tank, which is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, said that the economic and diplomatic embargoes placed on Doha by its neighbours resulted in Qatar dropping down the rankings.
Last year, Doha became subject to a boycott by four Arab countries — Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain — over its support for terrorism and interference in the internal affairs of its neighbours.
The UAE, which ranked 44th worldwide, scored highly on factors such as levels of violent demonstrations, impact of terrorism and levels of refugees in the country, according to Mr Killelea.
Despite the UAE’s improvement, the Mena region as a whole remains the least peaceful in the world, the Global Peace Index revealed.
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UAE drops in 2017 annual global peace rankings amid regional violence
Global Peace Index ranking 2017 — Graphic
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The report said the Mena region is home to four of the 10 least peaceful countries in the world — Syria, which at 163rd is the lowest ranking of all countries in the report, Afghanistan (162), Iraq (160) and Yemen (158).
“The Middle East and North Africa remained the world’s least peaceful region in 2018, despite a slight improvement in its overall score. The scores for both Iraq and Syria improved, although the conflict is no less bitter, the diminishing geographic reach of ISIL and other rebel groups means that overall levels of violence have diminished," the report said.
The report said that four out of the biggest deteriorations in the Middle East rankings — Qatar, Iran (131), Oman (73) and Saudi Arabia (129) — are down to increased tensions between the GCC and Iran. Iran's increasingly interventionist ambitions include the sponsoring of terrorist organisations, such as Hezbollah and the backing of the rebel Houthis in Yemen, where the UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition seeking to restore the legitimate government.
Hezbollah has been one of the main non-state actors in Syria fighting alongside the regime of President Bashar Al Assad.
“Where [the UAE] scored low was in the level of external conflict, which increased because of the situation in Yemen,” said Mr Killelea.
While the Middle East includes four of the 10 lowest ranking countries in the report, it is also worth remembering the region saw 11 countries, out of 20, improving on last year’s performance, said Mr Killelea.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
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Tickets
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
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9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAyan%20Mukerji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Alia%20Bhatt%20and%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):
Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Match will be shown on BeIN Sports
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
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The biog
Born November 11, 1948
Education: BA, English Language and Literature, Cairo University
Family: Four brothers, seven sisters, two daughters, 42 and 39, two sons, 43 and 35, and 15 grandchildren
Hobbies: Reading and traveling
Scoreline:
Cardiff City 0
Liverpool 2
Wijnaldum 57', Milner 81' (pen)
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
