US President Joe Biden will face a major foreign policy test in the Middle East with Iran posing the greatest challenge, the region’s most senior British general has predicted.
In the circumstances it was vital that the US defied the Tehran campaign and continued its role in maintaining forces on the ground, especially to keep the resurgent ISIS in check, Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer said.
In his final interview before leaving the British Army, he told The National that Iran was strengthening its ballistic missile and drone armoury, accelerating its nuclear programme and conducting proxy wars as part of negotiation tactics.
“Iran is trying to strengthen its position before any discussions start so they can negotiate from what they perceive as being a position of strength. Their destabilising activity across the region is all part of this,” he said.
The new US administration is yet to make clear how it intends to position its troops around the world, including the 2,500 left in Iraq.
Ball in Iran's court over nuclear deal
In his keynote foreign policy speech on Thursday, President Biden ordered his defence secretary Lloyd Austin to lead a "global posture review of our forces" so that US troops were "appropriately aligned with our foreign policy and national security priorities".
The review will consider the force levels in Iraq, although it is unclear whether they will increase or reduce further in numbers.
The US State Department has also reiterated that it has not changed its position on what it will take for the US to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal stating that Tehran must make the first move before Washington will be ready to rejoin the pact.
While former president Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, Mr Biden will want a deal to curb Tehran’s growing menace in the Middle East, including its ambitions to build a nuclear bomb.
Commentators believe that while Mr Biden made no reference to the Iran deal in his speech, the question of how the first moves between Washington and Tehran play out will be a key test.
At this delicate juncture, attacks from Yemen into Saudi Arabia, partly Iranian-inspired, are “extremely dangerous and raising the temperature”. These come just at a time when the humanitarian situation is dire and peace is needed, as Mr Biden has noted. “The conflict just needs to stop to help the people of Yemen get out of what is a pretty horrendous situation,” he said.
Sir John believed that while Mr Biden was not going to rush into multiple changes in foreign policy, especially given America’s Covid-19 crisis, it was clear that “the nuclear deal and relationship with Iran is very high up on their list of priorities of foreign policy issues”.
Many of Iran's neighbours hope Mr Biden can sustain elements of the “maximum pressure” approach to Iran as tough sanctions “have gone down very well with some countries,” Sir John said.
A fluent Arabic speaker whose great-grandfather was the British Political Resident in the Gulf, Sir John has spent the last three years travelling extensively across the region meeting national leaders and their teams as Britain’s Defence Senior Adviser to the Middle East.
"I think it's essential that the US plays a meaningful role in the [Middle East]"
In tandem with many regional leaders, he understands the stability that the US military presence provides to the area. The pillar of support was compromised by Mr Trump’s withdrawal of troops from Iraq that has seen numbers shrink now to levels around 2,500.
When asked if American military was needed on the ground, Sir John said: “I think it's essential that the US plays a meaningful role in the region.”
In particular, the training, surveillance and specialist soldiers were required to keep ISIS from regrouping as a serious threat. “ISIS hasn't gone away,” he said. “The coalition is still required to help support the Iraqi security forces to put pressure on ISIS, otherwise they'll come back again. I'm not saying that they may come back tomorrow but they will fill any vacuum so it's really important that we continue to support the Iraqi security forces.”
He also admitted that under the Trump administration, the region's relationship with America “had been a challenge”.
Travels in a time of Covid-19
During his last weeks as Britain’s senior Middle East representative, Sir John has been travelling around the region after almost a year of conducting diplomacy by Skype, Zoom and telephone.
“I travel because people want to talk and business has to continue. Skype or Zoom are not the same as sitting down and having a face to face discussion. People like to see body language and have a proper face to face conversation.”
The UK is important to the region, it's really valued, the historical and traditional links
Taking regular Covid tests and precautions, he has recently visited the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman and was speaking to The National from Bahrain after a meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
“The UK is important to the region, it’s really valued, the historical and traditional links. We have some baggage — some good and some not good — but on the whole it’s a very positive and natural relationship.”
Sir John also recently visited Lebanon, where the British government recently donated 100 armoured patrol vehicles to help the border regiment to control terrorist and smuggling activity.
There, he found a struggling nation: “The internal politics are a challenge, the economy really needs help and significant reforms are required, and they’re in a difficult neighbourhood with tough neighbours.”
He remains “very hopeful” that a political situation might be found in Libya “but there's an awful lot to be done to get to that point”. He said: “You're relying on people to make some quite big moves in terms of commitment to the peace process.”
Hope for post-Brexit Britain in the Middle East
While the immediate post-Brexit years are challenging, with UK-EU trade negotiations completed he feels Britain can become a significant partner.
“We've got a real opportunity to make a valuable contribution, enhancing and developing bilateral relationships as they do like our values and some of the things we stand for."
It is understood that Britain in the post-Brexit world is looking to increase its influence globally by appointing military figures with close ties to certain regions.
The Ministry of Defence’s long-term commitment to defence diplomacy with the Middle East was demonstrated by the appointment of a highly experienced and decorated RAF pilot.
Air Marshal Martin "Sammy" Sampson knows the area having conducted many operational tours and has just completed two years as director of the UK's Saudi Armed Forces Projects.
In his final message to the region, Sir John posted a video in both Arabic and English. He said his job had been challenging and rewarding, travelling from the Maghreb to the Gulf. “You have taught me a lot about your culture, your traditions, your history and your politics. I am most grateful,” he said in the video.
Asked about his final reflections on the region, Sir John praised Arabian generosity and “putting up with some silly questions in terms of me trying to understand the region”.
He has yet to consider his next career move but it is unlikely that such depth in friendship and knowledge will go unnoticed.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day - 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227 for four at the close.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
BABYLON
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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.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
New schools in Dubai
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.
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How to help or find other cats to adopt
More on Palestine-Israeli relations
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Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Racecard
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
A German university was a good fit for the family budget
Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600
Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between £200-600
The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually
Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated
As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640
Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
