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The Takeaway: March 18, 2020

Highlights: COVID-19 redraws some key lines in the Middle East: UAE, US both offer Iran help; Iran not giving up disputes with US in Iraq; Turkish columnist backs cannabis to fight coronavirus; Protests in Iraq have their soundtrack; and more!

Tonnes of medical equipment and coronavirus testing kits provided bt the World Health Organisation are pictured at the al-Maktum International airport in Dubai on March 2, 2020 as it is prepared to be delivered to Iran with a United Arab Emirates military transport plane. (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)
Tonnes of medical equipment and coronavirus testing kits provided bt the World Health Organisation are pictured at the al-Maktoum International airport in Dubai on March 2, 2020 as it is prepared to be delivered to Iran with a United Arab Emirates military transport plane. — Karim Sahib/AFP via Getty Images
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Three quick takes:
 
 
 
 

1. UAE stresses ‘founding principles’ in aiding Iran during COVID-19 crisis

 

We may be seeing the beginning of a turnaround in UAE-Iran relations. Or simply an example of enlightened statecraft by Abu Dhabi. Or, most likely, both.

 

The UAE this week shipped 32 metric tons of medical supplies, including gloves, surgical masks and protective equipment to Iran. On March 16, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman S.A Mousavi tweeted that Iran is “sincerely thankful for these humanitarian efforts and [also noting recent contributions from Uzbekistan and UNICEF] will never forget the way they stood with us Iran in hard times.”

 

UAE cites “founding humanitarian principles”: “The UAE’s efforts in carrying out a second medical aid flight to Iran are consistent with our country’s founding humanitarian principles, which guide our belief that providing life-saving assistance to those experiencing distress is essential to serving the common good,” said Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, UAE minister of state for international cooperation.

 

Look who’s talking: In a phone call March 15 with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed “the UAE's support to the Iranian people as they come through this crisis” and “stressed the importance of collective work and efforts to survive such global challenges.”

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