US President-elect Joe Biden is not waiting for Donald Trump to concede before he fills the key positions in his administration, including the 71st US Secretary of State.
The pick that would require confirmation from the Senate will be the most indicative of Mr Biden’s foreign policy direction and his attempt to balance different wings and interests inside the Democratic Party.
Former secretaries of state such as Henry Kissinger, James Baker and Madeline Albright shaped to a great degree the policy of their respective presidents and the trajectory of American power abroad.
For Mr Biden, it’s a choice between a confidant, someone influential, appeasing the base, or reaching out to Republicans. These are the names being debated in and around his transition team for the position:
Susan Rice
The former national security adviser and ambassador to the United Nations during the Obama years is seen as a favourite for the position.
Ms Rice was on the shortlist for the vice president pick, has worked in Democratic administrations since 1993 and enjoys a good working relationship with the President-elect.
Helping her case is the extensive experience, gravitas and diversity to the position she might bring, as well as her close working relationship with former President Barack Obama.
But Ms Rice, known for her direct and blunt approach, could face a challenge from senior aides in Mr Biden’s team who are jockeying for the position.
She has also come under attack from the left and the right for her support for the Libya war and comments she made after the assault on Benghazi in 2012.
Tony Blinken
If Mr Biden is opting for a close confidant and a Secretary of State who would sail through their Senate confirmation and not generate headlines, Mr Blinken would be his nominee.
The former deputy national security adviser and former deputy secretary of state has been one of the closest aides to the President-elect on foreign policy throughout the campaign.
Mr Blinken is soft-spoken, liked within the democratic establishment but he lacks the gravitas and the presence that Susan Rice would bring to the table.
Bill Burns
With more than three decades of experience in the US diplomatic service, Mr Burns would bring unparalleled negotiating skills to the table.
The former undersecretary, deputy secretary of state, and former ambassador has vast experience inside the State Department like no other potential nominee.
He has worked under both Democratic and Republican presidents, negotiated behind the scenes with the US’ toughest adversaries, and is viewed as a good manager.
If Mr Biden is looking for experience and calm diplomacy, Mr Burns could be his choice.
Chris Murphy
The Senator from Connecticut is a rising foreign policy voice within the Democratic Party.
Known for his anti-war positions, whether in opposing the Yemen war or calling for the end of the war in Afghanistan, Mr Murphy would garner support from the leftist base of the Democratic Party.
He is an eloquent speaker and would be a departure from traditional picks for the position.
However, Mr Murphy is not in the circle surrounding the President-elect and he was seen as closer to his former rival Bernie Sanders during the primary.
Chris Coons
The Senator from Delaware is a personal friend of Mr Biden.
The two men have known each other through Delaware politics for more than two decades and if Mr Biden wants to prize loyalty and steadiness, Mr Coons could be moving to Foggy Bottom.
Mr Coons is well-liked in the Senate and has openly jockeyed for the position.
“Joe Biden and I have very similar, closely aligned views on foreign policy…He’s got a lot of great folks from whom to choose, but if he were to consider me as well, I’d certainly be honoured,” Mr Coons said in September.
Mitt Romney
The Republican Senator from Utah would be an unconventional pick for Mr Biden but one that could signal his intention to reach across party lines.
Mr Romney was on outgoing President Donald Trump’s list for secretary of state but their relation has dramatically soured over the years and the Republican Senator became the maverick voice in his party to oppose the White House.
A Romney pick for America’s top diplomat under Mr Biden would likely upset many Democrats but could foster a bipartisan foreign policy approach on a significant set of challenges.
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Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
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Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
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Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
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'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
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Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 55')
Man of the Match Allan (Everton)
