Syrian president Bashar Al Assad has long been in denial about the extent of his losses, in terms of manpower and territory, in his country’s civil war. This week he was more frank, acknowledging a “lack of human resources” in the military, which is believed to have lost half its 300,000 strength due to deaths, defections and draft dodging. He also conceded that regime forces do not have the resources to regain the vast amounts of territory now controlled by rebel groups or ISIL militants. Yet, he remained defiant, denying that his regime is collapsing, asserting that “the word ‘defeat’ does not exist in the Syrian army’s dictionary”, while ruling out any chance of peace talks. It’s difficult to see this as anything other than tough talk from a man with his back against the wall.
In many ways, Mr Al Assad was telling us what we already knew. But, significantly, his speech was broadcast on Syrian national television – making it both his first public admission that things are not going his way and an attempt to rally a war-weary nation. Mr Al Assad, who has also recently announced a conditional amnesty for army deserters and those who have avoided conscription, has effectively acknowledged that the families of Syria are no longer prepared to sacrifice their sons to his war machine.
What is clear is that Mr Al Assad is not prepared to make any personal sacrifices, even as he demands more of his people. He is desperate to cling on to power in a vastly diminished nation, prepared only to protect those areas he considers to be “militarily, politically or economically important”. Presumably he is referring to Damascus, Homs and the strategic Tartus port.
Instead, he should recognise that the best thing he can do for his country is to stand aside. The instability Mr Al Assad has fostered and continues to foment favours only ISIL and other extremists. The way forward for Syria is anything but clear, but a coalition of peace comprising remnants of his government and members of the opposition is a much better option than any vision of the future that Mr Al Assad can now articulate.
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About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
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Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5