Qatar tribune Hanane Djoua Doha In an era marked by complex geopolitical challenges, Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering international cooperation during the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) Policy Advisory Group Meeting held in Doha on Monday. The event, which commemorated the 20th anniversary of the ICI, served as a vital platform for addressing pressing global security concerns and strengthening partnerships between NATO and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Minister of State for International Cooperation HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnadunderscored the moral imperative of international partnerships in her keynote address. “As we reflect on the events unfolding in our world today, we recognize that international partnerships are not merely an option we turn to in times of crisis,” she said. “Rather, they represent the essence of our shared humanity and a moral obligation that demands we raise collectively to achieve them,” Al Misnad said. She emphasized that cooperation and partnership remain the only viable pathways to resolving the wars and humanitarian crises gripping regions such as Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Sudan. She highlighted the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative as a testament to the principles of joint action and collective will, which underpin the pursuit of human security and dignity in an interconnected world. Qatar’s longstanding commitment to global peace and security was a central theme of the discussions. Al Misnad pointed to Qatar’s active participation in NATO-led initiatives, including hosting NATO’s annual conference on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in 2015—the first such event held outside Europe. She also noted Qatar’s distinction as the only ICI member to have successfully completed all phases of NATO’s Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) programme. “Over the years, relations between the State of Qatar and NATO member states have witnessed tangible progress,” she remarked, highlighting Qatar’s pivotal role in enhancing cooperation between the two sides. Al Misnad also called for a unified international approach to address the cascading effects of global conflicts, including irregular migration, displacement, and the proliferation of terrorism and organized crime. “Today, we need to confront the challenges with resilience and decisiveness — not only through security forces but by empowering the strength of thought and countering chaos through the promotion of justice, peace, and human compassion,” she added. Javier Colomina, NATO’s first Special Representative for the Southern Neighborhood, outlined the Alliance’s strategic priorities under the Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan, adopted earlier this year at the NATO Summit in Washington. He emphasized the interconnected nature of global security and the need for robust collaboration with Gulf partners, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. “Now, more than ever, we understand that security is global,” Colomina said. “The Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Atlantic area share many concerns, including terrorism, hybrid threats, and disruptive technologies. Therefore, we see numerous opportunities for cooperation on issues of mutual interest.” Colomina highlighted NATO’s strengthened presence in the Gulf region through its Regional Center in Kuwait, which has played a key role in capacity building and training for GCC states since 2017. He also announced plans to establish NATO’s first liaison office in Jordan to deepen engagement with regional partners. Colomina praised Qatar for its proactive contributions to NATO initiatives, citing the certification of Qatar’s Air Force 101 Squadron as fully NATO-interoperable on December 1—the first such achievement in the region. Qatar also hosted the Venice Air Force Symposium, further cementing its role as a strategic partner. “Every one of our ICI partners has tailored its cooperation with NATO to align with national priorities,” he said. “Qatar has consistently demonstrated its leadership, particularly in advancing military interoperability and fostering dialogue on security challenges.” The meeting concluded with a call for collective action to address shared global challenges. Both Al Misnad and Colomina stressed the need for holistic approaches that go beyond military solutions to include societal awareness, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights. As the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative celebrates its 20th anniversary, Qatar’s leadership and NATO’s commitment to the region reaffirm the enduring value of partnership in achieving peace and security for all. Copy 17/12/2024 10
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Judge halts cannabis license lottery that is precursor to Minnesota marijuana retail launchINGLEWOOD — Clippers reserve guard Jordan Miller took his place at the key for shooting drills before Tuesday’s practice. During the drill, players pass the ball back and forth to each other. Just a routine drill or so he thought. Miller was about to toss the ball to the next player when he looked up and saw Kawhi Leonard ready to catch his pass. “I’m passing it to Kawhi. Oh, snap,” Miller said of his initial reaction to seeing the six-time All-Star on the court. Leonard took part in limited practice on Tuesday, his first appearance in team drills since last season when his right knee flared up during the playoffs. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has missed the first 25 games this season as he works his way back into playing shape after having an offseason knee procedure that left him dealing with inflammation . “He just kind of snuck his way onto the court, you know, very Kawhi-like,” Miller said. “It’s great to have another leader on the court. He’s been leading off the court, obviously, but for him to be in the drill, participating with us, it’s just a different feeling.” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Leonard looked “good” in practice, taking part in offensive and defensive work, but without contact. Lue added that while Leonard has gotten better, he will not play against the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Asked what boxes the 33-year-old forward still needs to check before he can suit up for a game, Lue said he needs to “do a lot more things to really get back on the floor. We just want to make sure he’s 100%; we don’t want to get him out there at 70%, 75%. “So, let’s just take our time, make sure we get it right. Like I said, our medical staff – with Maggie Bryant, Todd Wright, Jasen Powell – those guys have done a great job just making sure that he’s checking every box, not speeding through it, not skipping steps. We’re not going to let him skip steps.” Leonard’s surprise appearance, even in a limited capacity, was a morale boost for the rest of the team. “It gave us energy and like at this point, where we are, we can take all the energy we can get,” Miller said. “So, it’s good to have him back on the court. “At the end of the day, we all want the best for him. Whenever that is, whenever he can play with us, that’s great. But, at the end of the day, we just want what’s best for him.” Leonard, who sat out the entire 2021-22 season because of a torn ACL in his right knee and has missed 204 of a possible 460 games since joining the Clippers in 2019, did not speak to reporters. Like the rest of the team, Lue could sense a change at the Clippers’ training facility. “It raised our energy just for our guys to see him on the floor,” Lue said. “It brought a juice to our team, so we needed that jolt, especially going through the schedule we’ve been through, so it was really good to see him out there.” The Clippers have been able to stay competitive in the stacked Western Conference without their star player. Although they have dropped their past two games, including a 28-point blowout to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Clippers (14-11) are sixth in the conference and limiting opponents to a fifth-best 107.4 points per game. That will enable Leonard to take a slower approach to getting back into the flow. He will not have to carry the team right away and return to averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists like he did last season before suffering knee problems. “But at some point, you need him to be Kawhi Leonard,” Lue said. “I think he can do that. And just seeing the year he had last year – playing 68 games – and how he played at a really high level. So, we just got to get him back to that. It’s going to take some time, and he can’t get frustrated with the process.” The Clippers got more good news as All-Star point guard James Harden (groin), guard Amir Coffey (shoulder), guard Kris Dunn (illness) and backup center Mo Bamba (injury management) all took part in Tuesday’s practice. Harden, Coffey and Bamba all sat out Sunday night’s loss to the Houston Rockets. Dunn played 22 minutes but came down with an unspecified illness. Forward Derrick Jones Jr. was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
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