Iran’s President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian made a notable gesture by addressing the Arab world through an article published on an Arab website. Along with another article published in English in an Iranian newspaper that outlined his vision for relations with the West, this has signalled his desire for openness and a breakthrough in Tehran’s foreign relations.
Relations between Tehran and its neighbours have been strained over the past years. Dr Pezeshkian’s gestures should be viewed optimistically and should prompt careful observations of the signals coming out of Iran these days in order to reshape the regional landscape. However, given the challenging reality, these messages must be approached with a realistic, even with hyper-realistic, perspective.
In his message to Arabs, Dr Pezeshkian rightfully emphasised the need for co-operation and solidarity among countries in the region, which share a common destiny based on solid moral, religious and cultural foundations. This is more than just a noble call. The Arabs have made similar calls multiple times over the past years, but that was not sufficient to resolve the region’s ongoing tensions. This might be because the call does not take into account the unique character of Iran’s political system. The desired dialogue – which everyone is advocating for – should occur between official state institutions that carry sovereign authority unmatched by any other entity. The problem with any dialogue with Iran lies in the uncertainty that the government has the mandate to negotiate on all contentious issues.
Therefore, Dr Pezeshkian must demonstrate to Arab partners that his government possesses this authority. Additionally, he must show that the outcomes and decisions resulting from dialogue with this government will be binding to all Iranian institutions, including revolutionary bodies that have previously disregarded agreements made by the government/state with international parties. Dr Pezeshkian should first strive to convince Iran’s political institutions to grant the government full authority on sovereign issues and ensure that all entities in Iran are committed to the outcomes of any dialogue between the government and foreign parties.
To initiate a successful dialogue between Iran and the Arabs, Tehran must address the pervasive militia phenomenon that obstructs progress in regional relations and economic co-operation. There is no doubt that Iran is at the forefront of this issue; it is the regional power supporting these militias, which is used to achieve its regional goals instead of fostering cooperative ties with other countries of the region.
Neutralising the power of these non-state actors is essential to ensuring they do not undermine the pursuit of peace and regional development. The key to breaking the cycle of regional turmoil and violence lies in shifting the logic of regional interaction and competition. Rather than prioritising geopolitical concerns, which have prevailed over the last two decades, the focus should be on geo-economic priorities for the next two decades, where the potential for most regional development plans lies.The world is on the verge of moving beyond the era of centralised geopolitical conflicts.
The wars in Ukraine and Gaza are remnants of an old era that is gradually fading. It is inevitable that we shift to a geo-economic era, where geopolitical competition and military conflicts are expected to decrease, driven by the intertwining of global economic interests and growing interdependence.
Iran can leverage Gulf investments, Gulf development visions and advanced commercial and economic expertise in the region to revive its economy, achieve growth and bridge the significant gap between demand and production. Gulf countries, in turn, can benefit from Iran's vast market, abundant human expertise and vast natural resources through collaborative agreements. Additionally, both sides can invest in intra- and inter-regional resources. However, for Iran to realise this vision, it must take several essential steps.
It must comply with global financial regulations and resolving major disputes with the international community. It should refrain from militarising its economy and avoid viewing international and global economic projects solely through a security lens, recognising that their purpose is not to undermine Iranian security.
And it should ensure the security of investments in the Iranian market from the uncertainties of the domestic political and economic situation.
Over the past decade, Iran has been absent from emerging international corridor projects. This cannot be attributed to a conspiracy to isolate or suffocate Iran, as some leaders may imagine, but rather to the country’s lack of fundamental conditions mentioned above. These conditions represent the "normal state behaviour" that international partners expect from any country, including Iran. Had Iran pursued this constructive path, it could have attracted capital from the Gulf and various other regions into its markets, creating an environment conducive to achieving growth and profitability for all parties involved. Without such efforts, however, it will remain yet another unrealised dream added to a list of aspirations.
Masoud Pezeshkian must show that the outcomes and decisions resulting from dialogue with this government will be binding to all Iranian institutions
In his letter, Dr Pezeshkian emphasised the need to adopt initiatives aimed at fostering regional solidarity and ending superpower interference. Common sense supports the call for any initiative promoting regional co-operation and solidarity. However, such initiatives should consider several basic conditions to pave the way for integrated regional economic development.
First, a comprehensive approach is needed. All contentious issues should be addressed at the negotiating table, aiming for solutions that benefit all parties based on a win-win logic.
Second, there should be inclusivity. All relevant regional parties should participate equally. History shows that bilateral and inter-regional agreements, especially those favoured by Iran, can be fragile in turbulent and suspicious regional climates.
Third, all of this must be locally driven. Initiatives should originate from the conviction of regional parties, as mentioned by the Iranian president-elect. Proposals by global powers could expose the region to further international polarisation and conflicting hegemonic agendas. However, the outcomes of the dialogue can be guaranteed by major powers and international institutions.
There must also be equality among all participants at the dialogue table, rejecting any claim of superiority in both the international and regional systems.
These principles are straightforward yet essential for Dr Pezeshkian’s call for dialogue to succeed. They pave the way for constructive regional co-operation that can engage and benefit all stakeholders involved. By adhering to these principles, the region can return to a state of normality, reasserting the role of state institutions in the face of eroded sovereignty and increased militia influence over the past years. Furthermore, they facilitate the region's transition from an outdated geopolitical era to a new geo-economic era.
There is no doubt that the message conveyed by Dr Pezeshkian to Arab, regional and international communities offers optimism. However, a realistic approach demands situating this call within its natural context and ensuring the necessary conditions for its realistic success. This approach is crucial for any dialogue with Iran to achieve a transformative outcome that benefits all parties, mitigates regional conflicts and tensions and secures the region's involvement in future global development projects.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Brief scores:
Newcastle United 1
Perez 23'
Wolverhampton Rovers 2
Jota 17', Doherty 90' 4
Red cards: Yedlin 57'
Man of the Match: Diogo Jota (Wolves)
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
Napoleon
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Multitasking pays off for money goals
Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.
That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.
"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.
Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."
People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.
"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Cashew%0D%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202020%0D%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Ibtissam%20Ouassif%20and%20Ammar%20Afif%0D%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%0D%3Cbr%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%2410m%0D%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Mashreq%2C%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
