In the summer of 1990, we left the Arctic city of Murmansk for Washington DC on assignment from the Party. My father had been selected to participate in a prestigious Soviet-American business school course. At the time, nationwide rationing had been introduced in the USSR, so naturally the first thing we did was head to the supermarket. An entire roll of film was devoted to the car park gleaming with Lada-free decadence, my parents and I posing with trophies: pineapples, cherries and star-fruits whose lurid colours and bulletproof sheen were not – surely could not be – real.
In these early albums, our Slavic pallor is occasionally leavened by an unmistakably American face – plump and kindly-looking, with blue eyes, glasses, and a tidy beard. In one such photo, a young man, in his late 20s or early 30s, stands next to 6-year-old me holding a model of the Space Shuttle Discovery outside the National Aerospace Museum. Mostly, though, he preferred to stay behind the camera. In another, I see my mum, dad and me in the back seat of his car. The shot was taken through the rear-view mirror; the camera and his right hand, mottled with dirty blond hairs, are visible in the corner of the frame.
Irving introduced himself to my dad on his first day of class as a musical instrument salesman who had studied Russian at university. He said he was keen to practise the language and learn more about our culture. Soft-spoken and knowledgeable, he proved nothing if not studious and determined. It seemed like every weekend, Irving would suggest a new adventure for us – crabs in Maryland, a hike in Virginia, picnic in Georgetown, cherry blossoms by the Lincoln Memorial.
During these outings, my mum and I would ride in the back while Irving casually grilled my dad about our home town, which happened to be home to the USSR’s largest fleet of nuclear submarines and icebreakers. He seemed particularly interested in the naval base at Severomorsk, which still houses Russia’s northern fleet. Irving quickly became part of the family. But shortly after realising that my dad worked in commercial fishing rather than the nuclear fission, his interest in Russian language and culture took a nosedive. Our first American friend disappeared from our lives as suddenly as he had emerged.
For years, we jokingly wondered whether Irving may have been more than merely a curious Russophile. If so, then How to Catch a Russian Spy, Naveed Jamali's frustrating account (co-authored with Ellis Henican) of his life as a soi-disant double agent for the FBI, shows how fortunate we were with our particular American "mentor". After all, it could all too easily have been a jingoistic, motor-mouthed frat-boy like the author.
Despite a relatively privileged upbringing in a family of highly-educated immigrants from France and Pakistan, Jamali took no interest in academics or international affairs. After underperforming at various schools, he quit to work in his parents’ company, an academic article-retrieval firm called Books and Research. A rudderless wise-guy obsessed with branded products and mediocre American muscle-cars, Jamali eventually scrapes his way through New York University into a job as an IT support employee on the Harvard campus. It was there that he witnesses the September 11 attacks and undergoes, in his own words, a “full transition from dude who enjoyed a good time to dude who realises there is something he wants to be a part of that’s bigger than he is”.
Initially rebuffed by the US Navy Reserves entry test, Jamali decides to enhance his national-security bonafides by reinventing himself as an amateur spy-hunter. His targets would be the Russian diplomats who had been frequenting Books and Research since he was a child in search of obscure (but open-source) academic articles about specific military technologies. Jamali’s parents would fulfil the orders, but not before alerting the local FBI branch about the Russians’ requests. The book is the story of Jamali’s attempt to convince the spooks to let him help them catch a Russian diplomat in the act of soliciting sensitive documents.
Eager to become more deeply involved with the FBI, Jamali contacts the agents who had worked with his parents and offers himself as bait. The next time one of the Russian diplomats come to the office to ask for materials, he would offer them the prospect of something more sensitive. Thinking he had access to secret information, they might attempt to recruit him as a spy for Moscow only to be caught red-handed in a sting operation that comes uncomfortably close to entrapment.
Ominously for our green-eared amateur spy, his target turns out to be Oleg Kulikov, a hulking, trench-coated officer of the GRU, the notorious Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian army. During Soviet times, the GRU was said to be so secretive that even the general secretary had to be patted down before entering its inner sanctum. With his knowledge of Russian interrogation techniques gleaned exclusively from binge watching Hollywood spy thrillers, an increasingly paranoid Jamali begins to see his own bloody demise around every corner. Alas, the reality is a long way from such James Bond fantasies: Jamali’s awkward seduction of Oleg reaches its climax amid a surreal landscape of mall car parks and cheesy casual dining chains.
Spoiler alert: the good guys win, the Russkies are vanquished, Jamali finally joins the Navy Reserves, and the rest is Hollywood (the film rights have already been snapped up by Twentieth Century Fox).
How to Catch a Russian Spy offers some decent pacing and a relentless onslaught of groan-worthy one-liners. Example: "I had been to Hooters once before," Jamali writes of the burlesque restaurant chain at which he meets his Russian target. "The chicken wings were spicy, and the waitresses too." Much more laughable, however, is Jamali's naïve and propagandistic view of international relations. America is depicted as a noble hegemon encircled by crafty enemies who are unbound by its self-imposed rules of gentlemanly international conduct. The "foreign spies working in my country to undermine, subvert and attack America … ignored our laws and international law", Jamali writes, while "we were constrained by our laws in the methods we could use to combat the people who didn't play by any rules". Viewed in this light, waterboarding and the other tools of America's war on terror look less like torture and more like a necessary levelling of the playing field.
As a glance into the mind of a 21st century American intelligence foot-soldier, the book delivers other chilling insights. Jamali’s actions in the wake of September 11 represent a devastating microcosm of his country’s misplaced fury, its confused, flailing and lethally wrong-headed response to international terrorism. Despite noting that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was the first world leader to send George Bush condolences and offer his country’s unconditional support, it is Russia – not Al Qaeda – against which Jamali directs his new-found patriotic zeal. What on earth did Russia have to do with the attacks? But then again, what, for that matter, did Iraq?
“Our fiercest and long-running enemy” is how Jamali describes Moscow, and continues in the same vein throughout the rest of the book. Despite going deep undercover with Oleg, he appears to develop no bond or empathy with his opposite number, who remains merely a cypher with a penchant for junk food. Jamali suffers from no introspection or equivocation; nowhere do we feel the frisson of the agent who teeters on the edge of “going native”, the kinds of internal struggle that animate Greene and Le Carre.
Jamali’s refusal to see past Moscow’s status as “America’s sworn enemy number one”, against all the evidence of the past two decades, goes some way to explaining the current tragedy of US-Russian relations. “It’s like the Russians keep messing with us,” he says at one point, while his FBI handler deposits the following grain of orientalist wisdom: “You’ll never get anything from the Russians if all you do is equivocate. Strength and directness are what these people understand.” At a time of ever-increasing tensions between the two countries, such vicious stereotyping reads like needless provocation.
Vadim Nikitin is a journalist and Russian analyst based in London.
The original headline contained the words ‘Soviet spook’. The word Soviet has been removed because it was incorrect.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
The five pillars of Islam
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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
'Joker'
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor
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The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
More coverage from the Future Forum
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
