US President Donald Trump has resisted any real fallout from the scandal involving senior officials in his administration engaging in secret discussions – inadvertently leaked to a journalist – over the messaging app Signal about planned strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. On the contrary, he is likely to double down on his resolve to sever the Houthi arm that serves Iranian interests – not merely to divert attention from the Signal scandal, but because intensifying pressure on Iran and thwarting its nuclear and expansionist ambitions forms the core of a broader strategic project for Mr Trump’s Middle East policy.
The strategic project also encompasses Washington’s stance on the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq, which now stands as one of the few remaining cards in Tehran’s hands. Syria, Lebanon and their future relationship with Israel are also embedded in the strategy, as is the role of Turkey in Syria, along with the emerging Turkish-Syrian partnership aimed at containing Iran and blocking its advance. As for Gaza, the fate of the Palestinian enclave remains tethered to decisions made by Hamas, a paralysed Iranian proxy, much like Hezbollah in Lebanon. So, what should we expect next?
The Signal scandal was not only a serious security breach, but also a wake-up call for Europe, given the group chat’s leaked messages included senior US policymakers’ stated intentions to bill Europe for American operations against the Houthis. The rationale was that Europe relies on the maritime corridors disrupted by Houthi attacks far more than the US. For America’s European allies, the overall picture is a smug US administration with a superiority complex that is also both reckless and impulsive.
But none of this diminishes the fact that Mr Trump has come up with some serious and innovative foreign policies, however acrobatic their implementation may sometimes appear. Indeed, regardless of the divisions within the American public over Iran and how to deal with it, there is broad consensus on the danger of Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons. A growing majority also now recognises the implications of Iran’s regional behaviour and its support for militias in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently announced that Tehran sent a reply via the Sultanate of Oman to a letter sent by Mr Trump earlier in March, in which he had urged Iran to swiftly agree to American terms for a new nuclear deal or else face a confrontation. The content of Iran’s reply has not yet been released, but some leaked information suggests Tehran has signalled a readiness to begin negotiations, though this may be an effort to buy time. It remains unclear whether the letter included any formal request from Washington for Iran to dissolve the PMF in Iraq, but the Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Mohammed Kazem Al-e Sadeq, has claimed this is the case.
Publicly, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei has dismissed American threats, especially given that the Trump administration continues to pursue a “maximum pressure” strategy, including its efforts to completely halt Iran’s oil exports. This unfolds amid the deployment of new American air and naval forces in the region, with a direct message to Tehran: comply with the demands or face swift consequences.
In other words, Mr Trump is deploying his familiar strategy of carrot and stick: using inducements and threats to push Tehran to accept American demands regarding its nuclear and missile programmes, and its regional proxies, in exchange for sparing it the US economic and military stick.
The Iranian leadership is acutely aware that Washington will not back down from achieving its military objectives against the Houthis in Yemen, and that Tehran is powerless to assist its Houthi proxy.
Mr Trump has also hinted that some within the Houthi ranks wish to back down, preferring defeat to total destruction. But perhaps this is wishful thinking. What is evident, though, is the president’s resolve to eliminate the Houthis in Yemen, which may have only increased after the Signal fiasco.
Trump is deploying his familiar strategy of carrot and stick
Mr Trump has a vision for Lebanon, too, regarding the fate of Hezbollah’s weapons, and the demarcation of both the Lebanese-Israeli and Lebanese-Syrian borders. The US position is clear: end Lebanese-Israeli disputes to enable formal demarcation of land borders, remove Israeli occupation through negotiation and reach a peace agreement that includes normalisation with Israel. This American offer is contingent upon Lebanon committing to disarm Hezbollah and to extend state authority and a monopoly on the use of force across all Lebanese territory.
Border demarcation should be a Lebanese demand before it is an American one. Ideological rigidity does not serve Lebanese national security, and posturing in the name of Palestinian solidarity cannot justify abandoning Lebanese interests. Lebanon’s interest lies in demarcating its borders with its neighbours and normalising relations following the removal of occupation.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between the Lebanese and Syrian defence ministers is a significant precedent. The two ministers agreed on border demarcation and security coordination to address military and security challenges through legal committees and reactivated mechanisms. Hezbollah had used border areas as corridors to smuggle weapons to and from Syria, and as a conduit for drug trafficking via dozens of illegal crossings.
America’s concern with Levantine borders is connected to its ambitions to open a new chapter between Israel and Arab states, especially given Saudi Arabia’s role in this chapter, contingent on Washington’s approval of a Palestinian state as a precondition. Despite Mr Trump’s missteps and colossal blunders, such as entertaining the notion of purchasing or owning Gaza, Washington continues its efforts with Arab partners to avert the looming catastrophe in Gaza.
Hamas has persisted in prioritising its own stature above the fate of Gaza’s people, who are increasingly rejecting the movement’s grip and the sacrifice of their children for its survival.
But Hamas has lost Iran, and Iran has lost its influence in Gaza. That proxy has fallen from Iran’s pocket. Syria has more or less expelled Iran from its soil. Hezbollah itself has become a severed limb of Iran. It can no longer pretend to resist Israel from southern Lebanon or claim its weapons are vital. It would do better to disarm voluntarily before it is too late, and to reclaim its Lebanese identity, for tying its fate to Iran’s is self-destructive.
As for the naive belief that the Signal scandal will cause Mr Trump to retreat on global policy matters, that is delusional. Watch what the American president will do next: he is a man who knows how to turn scandals into leverage for his coming battles.
more from Janine di Giovanni
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Dubai World Cup Carnival Thursday race card
6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
UAE squad
Rohan Mustafa (captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
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
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
New Zealand squad
Tim Southee (capt), Trent Boult (games 4 and 5), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
'Nope'
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TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
