Given the deadly history of the Middle East, the region appears to be the scene of most costly local and regional disputes as indicated by a report entitled Cost of Conflict in the Middle East issued jointly by the India-based Strategic Foresight Group and other organisations from Europe and the Middle East, wrote Abdul Nabi al Akri in an opinion piece for the Bahraini newspaper Al Wasat.
According to the report, the Israeli-Arab conflict - the main driver of the regional disputes - is the longest of its kind since the end of World War II.
The report also chronicles a number of conflicts that erupted in the region throughout modern history, such as the Lebanese civil war and the two Gulf wars, revealing that the Middle East experienced 25 per cent of the total number of disputes worldwide during the last sixty years. As a result, it incurred losses of $12 trillion between 1990 and 2008.
"The cost included economic aspects, collateral damage and the loss of investment opportunities that stalled growth although the region enjoys huge resources."
The Madrid conference and the Oslo accord could have been great opportunities for ensuring a long-lasting peace if they had been properly seized. They could also have reduced the development gap, controlled human exodus and created a high rate of growth.
"Following the decision of the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas not to run for a new mandate, the US secretary of state Hilary Clinton said that she would look forward to cooperating with him regardless of his new position," wrote Saleh al Qalab in an opinion piece for the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Jarida.
"She gave the impression that she foresaw a political landscape with no president, no prospective elections, no government and no authority or sovereign institutions,"
Mrs Clinton may have thought the Palestinians were likely to go back to square one, and that Mr Abbas, whether the elections will be held or not, will continue to play the role of the "revolutionary supreme leader" in the same way as Ali Khamenei in Iran. "It is likely that from his position as a chairman of both the Palestinian Liberation Movement (PLO) and Fatah's central committee, Mr Abbas will be the supervisor of negotiations with the Israelis even though he is not directly involved.
"What makes this scenario possible is that the Palestinian Authority as a system remains subsidiary to the PLO, and the same is true for the legislative council and the national council. Thus, if Mr Abbas, being the PLO's higher authority, stays away from the presidential elections, he will, nevertheless, remain the actual head of the Palestinian Authority."
Tariq Alhomayed, in a comment article for the London-based newspaper Al Sahrq al Awsat, wrote that the Syrian president Bashar al Assad surprised Arab public opinion when he advised Turkey to maintain good relations with Israel so that it could undertake a mediation role between Syria and Israel.
"Mr al Assad is right because of the popularity Turkey is gaining. As a result, its tense relations with Israel will not be useful if Ankara would like to be a peace mediator and play a role in settling other issues of the region, including the Iranian nuclear programme.
"Turkey's position towards Israel during the war on Gaza and the Israelis' intransigent attitude concerning the peace process should not, however, disappoint Ankara because there is no such a thing as frustration in politics. Unfortunately, most crucial decisions emerge to be unpopular and the role of decision makers is to explain clearly the benefits of their actions. In the case of Turkey's role, there are many interests at stake. Most important of all are the prospects of Turkey joining the European Union, which will enable the country to stand as a bridge between the West and the Arab world."
If Turkey is keen to be a genuine mediator, it needs to adopt an open policy with all stakeholders, including Israel. Yet this should not mean being involved wholeheartedly with Israel or Iran.
"Under normal circumstances, an election or a law related to it should not be seen as an achievement. But in the case of Iraq, it is. Indeed it meant a lot because of the country's special situation and the stalled political process," noted the UAE newspaper Al Bayane in its editorial.
"As the Iraqi parliament agreed on the law and on a formula for the next elections, all Iraqis should rise to the occasion and meet further challenges to reinforce the unity and integrity of the country."
The process was not an easy one, and it should not be a final one. But it was enough to spare Iraq a new constitutional crisis and a further postponement of US withdrawal. It is hoped that the parliament's consensus on the law and on how to undertake the elections will have a positive impact on security.
"It is a decision that will reinforce the principles of dialogue and the peaceful settlement of various issues no matter how difficult they might appear."
Likewise, it dealt a blow to those who promoted violence and sedition and, on many occasions, led the country into chaos. Indeed, the parliament has paved the ground for a clearer political process likely to consolidate national reconciliation.
* Digest compiled by Mostapha Elmouloudi
melmouloudi@thenational.ae
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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SPECS
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
RACE CARD
5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB); Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA); Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA); Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA); Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m
AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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'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.”
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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