Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 6.43 — strongly supporting 84 facts
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are frequently grouped together as regional powers in the Gulf Cooperation Council [1] and are both major oil producers with shared strategic interests in energy infrastructure {fact:2, fact:7, fact:31}. They are also linked through their joint involvement in the Yemen conflict {fact:19, fact:30}, their shared diplomatic and economic initiatives like the IMEC corridor [2], and their common status as targets of regional instability and Iranian aggression {fact:3, fact:20, fact:38}.
Facts (84)
Sources
Opportunities for Collective Regional Security in the Middle East carnegieendowment.org 27 facts
claimThe post-October 2023 conflict has disrupted the regional agendas of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, despite their shared interest with Egypt and Türkiye in conflict resolution.
claimThe 2023 diplomatic success between Saudi Arabia and Iran led to a decrease in military confrontations in Yemen, a partial withdrawal of Saudi and Emirati forces, and a noticeable decrease in Houthi aggression against Saudi and Emirati territories.
claimEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Türkiye, Israel, and Iran recalibrated their foreign policies in response to the instability and shifting landscape caused by the Arab Spring.
claimIran’s diplomatic and economic gains achieved between 2020 and 2023, including restored relations with Saudi Arabia, revitalized trade with the UAE, and emerging dialogues with Egypt and Jordan, have eroded due to the strains of the war.
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates utilized increased oil revenues during the Arab Spring to enhance their military capabilities, seek protection guarantees from the United States, and diversify their alliances.
claimThe Arab Spring uprisings caused radical changes to the foreign policies of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Türkiye, Israel, and Iran, similar to how previous conflicts like the Iran-Iraq War, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and the American invasion of Iraq reshaped the region.
claimTo counter the rise of Islamist groups following the 2011 Arab Spring, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates aligned themselves with military and secular elites who opposed those Islamist groups across the region.
claimEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Türkiye have rejected Israeli plans for the displacement of Palestinians, settlement expansion, and the violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
claimRegional actors are currently involved in direct or proxy conflicts: Israel is in tension with Iran; Türkiye is intervening in Syria and Iraq; the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are militarily involved in Yemen; and Egypt is involved in Libya, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa.
claimTürkiye coordinated with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to exert pressure on the Israeli government to halt military operations and end the war.
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sought to contain Iranian regional expansion in Bahrain, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
claimTürkiye has achieved strategic gains in Syria by capitalizing on Iran’s diminishing influence in the Arab Mashreq and coordinating diplomatically with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt.
accountRegional powers including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, and Iran actively sought to secure their national interests during the instability following the 2011 uprisings.
claimPrior to October 7, 2023, Israel established security alliances with major Arab states including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Türkiye.
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates acquired advanced technological systems from China and modern weapons from Russia to reduce their reliance on Western powers and expand international partnerships.
claimEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Israel, and Iran possess significant political, military, economic, and diplomatic influence that allows them to impact regional stability in the Middle East.
claimEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Türkiye have collectively called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Lebanon and an end to all military operations in the region.
claimEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Türkiye have provided humanitarian relief to affected Palestinian and Lebanese populations and coordinated diplomatic efforts to press global powers to intervene in the Middle East.
accountIn 2015, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain launched a military intervention as part of the 'Arab Coalition' to counter the Houthi movement in Yemen, which led to repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi and Emirati territories until 2023.
claimSaudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar possess the financial and political capital necessary to influence outcomes in Syria and the broader Levant.
claimThe United Arab Emirates is exploring collaborations with Saudi Arabia and Egypt to stabilize Syria and the broader Levant region to mitigate risks associated with regional instability.
claimIn 2011, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates perceived the Arab Spring uprisings as a destabilizing force that threatened to empower political Islam movements and increase Iranian influence in the region, specifically in Bahrain and Yemen.
claimBefore October 7, 2023, regional actors adopted varied strategies to increase security: Saudi Arabia sought to ease tensions with Iran, the United Arab Emirates focused on deepening cooperation with Israel, Egypt prioritized national security amidst domestic challenges, and Türkiye reduced its engagement in regional conflicts.
claimSaudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt are increasingly prioritizing diplomacy and nonviolent foreign policies over military involvement in protracted conflicts to address their national security concerns.
claimThe governments of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi), Kuwait (Kuwait City), and Bahrain (Manama) distanced themselves from Türkiye, citing the country's perceived hostility and interference in Arab affairs.
claimThe feasibility of a collective regional security endeavor led by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Türkiye, Israel, and Iran is contingent on overcoming significant obstacles, including mutual distrust, conflicting strategic goals, and the divergent policies of their respective governments.
measurementThe proxy war in Yemen, fought between Iran-backed Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people between 2015 and 2023.
War by Proxy: Iran's Growing Footprint in the Middle East - CSIS csis.org 8 facts
claimThe Houthis have used Iranian weapons and parts, including ballistic missiles and drones, to threaten shipping near the Bab el Mandeb Strait and to attack land-based targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
claimThe Houthis have used Iranian weapons and parts, including ballistic missiles and drones, to threaten shipping near the Bab el Mandeb Strait and to attack land-based targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
claimIran's strategic objectives in Yemen include retaining or increasing its influence along the Red Sea and weakening Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
claimStarting around 2016, as the conflict in Yemen intensified due to the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Iran increased its aid to the Houthis.
claimHouthi expansion in Yemen has stalled due to Saudi and United Arab Emirates support for local actors and aggressive interdiction efforts.
claimHouthi expansion in Yemen has stalled due to Saudi and UAE support for local actors and aggressive interdiction efforts.
claimIranian activism and the proliferation of Iranian-backed non-state actors have alarmed regional governments, including Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, facilitating broader regional balancing against Iran.
perspectiveIran's strategic objectives in Yemen include retaining and increasing its influence along the Red Sea, as well as weakening Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran Conflict Brief: The High Cost of Attacking Energy Infrastructure energypolicy.columbia.edu 5 facts
accountIsraeli forces conducted strikes on the South Pars gas field in Iran, which led to retaliatory attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG plant and energy assets in the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
accountEarlier in the conflict, Iran struck energy infrastructure including Ras Laffan Industrial City, refineries, ports, gas fields, and desalination facilities located in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
accountFollowing the Israeli attack on the South Pars gas field, Iran retaliated by causing extensive damage to Qatar's Ras Laffan, which is the world's largest LNG plant, and targeted oil fields and refineries in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
claimDaniel Sternoff notes that there is significant potential for further damage to energy infrastructure, specifically mentioning Qatar LNG facilities, UAE facilities, and upstream oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
claimA group of foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Turkey issued a joint statement that was directly critical of Iran.
Reforming Iran's Energy Policy: Strategies for Sustainability ... jpia.princeton.edu 5 facts
referenceThe UAE and Saudi Arabia utilized their oil revenues to fuel economic diversification and achieve high growth rates by managing their wealth through Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs), according to Alhashel (2015).
claimSaudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 demonstrate the importance of long-term planning and international partnerships in achieving energy sustainability for energy-rich Middle Eastern nations.
claimSaudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the United Arab Emirates' economic approach both emphasize innovation, private sector growth, and global investment through sovereign wealth funds, specifically the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have adopted strategies to reduce reliance on oil revenues by investing in non-oil sectors, including tourism, logistics, manufacturing, and the digital economy.
referenceThe energy reforms of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Norway, particularly the management and structure of their Sovereign Wealth Funds, serve as useful case studies for identifying feasible implementation strategies for Iran.
Experts react: How the US war with Iran is playing out around the ... atlanticcouncil.org 5 facts
accountIn the escalation linked to US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Iranian missiles or projectiles hit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, despite none of these states launching attacks against Iran from their territory.
accountDuring the escalation linked to US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Iranian missiles or projectiles hit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, despite none of these states launching attacks against Iran.
accountUnited Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed solidarity, warned against further escalation, and called for restraint and diplomacy following recent regional events.
claimIran expanded the circle of combatants by targeting infrastructure in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.
accountDuring the conflict, Iran targeted infrastructure in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.
United States and Iran on the Brink: What's at Stake? - CSIS csis.org 4 facts
claimThe Gulf region is experiencing low oil prices, which is affecting the ability of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to maintain a cohesive approach to regional crises.
accountThe conflict in Yemen became a major point of contention between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates when the Southern Transitional Council breached borders and moved into areas of Hadhramaut and the Mahra province, which Saudi Arabia viewed as contrary to its interests.
perspectiveAmbassador Ziadeh believes that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will attempt to lower tensions between themselves due to concerns about regional instability and the need for cooperation on defense mechanisms.
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are competing for investment and both aspire to be hubs for artificial intelligence.
Iran War: Kinetic, Cyber, Electronic and Psychological Warfare ... resecurity.com 3 facts
claimThe United States advised American citizens to immediately leave Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen due to escalating Iranian strikes and planned US retaliatory strikes.
accountIranian missile and drone attacks have targeted civilian and military infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Qatar.
claimIranian-aligned hacktivist groups have conducted DDoS attacks against government and private-sector organizations in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman.
Iran and Middle East conflict impacts global economy - Deloitte deloitte.com 3 facts
measurementIn 2024, 90.5% of Japan’s total oil imports by volume originated from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
measurementAlternate oil routes from Saudi Arabia through the Red Sea and from the United Arab Emirates through Fujairah have a combined capacity of 3.5 mbpd to 5.5 mbpd.
measurementAlternate oil transport routes, such as the Saudi Arabian route through the Red Sea and the United Arab Emirates route through Fujairah, have a combined capacity of 3.5 mbpd to 5.5 mbpd, leaving roughly three-quarters of supplies blocked at the Strait of Hormuz.
After the War: Rethinking Regional Security in the Middle ... arab-reform.net 3 facts
claimYemen, Libya, and Sudan suffer from regional competition and fragmentation resulting from the rivalry between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt against Türkiye and Qatar.
claimPost-Arab Spring regional competition involved a rivalry between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt against Türkiye and Qatar, which included a 3-year boycott of Qatar by its neighbors.
claimRegional political dynamics are currently characterized by Saudi-Turkish distrust, relatively recent Egyptian-Turkish normalization, acute Saudi-Emirati rivalry, the fragility of Syria, the weakness of the Lebanese state, and internal rivalries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Sustainability through business model innovation and climate ... nature.com 2 facts
claimThe Asian subset of countries analyzed in the research includes India, Iran, China, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
claimThe Asian sample in the study comprises 11 developing countries: India, Iran, China, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The Limits of Iran's Proxy Empire | The New Yorker newyorker.com 2 facts
claimSaudi Arabia is attempting to unify anti-Houthi forces in southern Yemen following the military withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates and the collapse of a militia previously backed by the UAE.
claimSaudi Arabia is attempting to unify anti-Houthi forces in southern Yemen following the military withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates and the collapse of a militia previously backed by the UAE.
Escalation in the Middle East and Beyond unocha.org 2 facts
claimIranian strikes have killed or injured civilians, including migrant workers, in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
claimIranian strikes have caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
War in Ukraine | Global Conflict Tracker - Council on Foreign Relations cfr.org 2 facts
claimUkraine has signed ten-year security agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with a similar agreement with the United Arab Emirates expected to be finalized soon.
claimUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized his visits to Middle Eastern countries as successful, noting that "historic" security agreements were reached with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, while also engaging in work with Jordan and Kuwait, and noting interest from Bahrain and Oman.
The International Implications of the Russo-Ukrainian War link.springer.com 2 facts
claimThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but did not implement concrete measures to deter further Russian aggression.
claimThe Atlantic Council published research in 2022 analyzing how the war in Ukraine is influencing Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to re-evaluate their diplomatic strategies regarding United States pressure concerning China.
After Khamenei: Regional Reckoning and the Future of Iran's Proxy ... stimson.org 2 facts
claimIn 2019, Iran attacked oil installations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the reimposition of economic sanctions.
accountIn 2019, Iran attacked oil installations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the subsequent reimposition of economic sanctions.
Space and Satellite wrap up - Legal and regulatory ... twobirds.com 1 fact
claimThe United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia partnered for a joint satellite launch to enhance capabilities in space observation, data collection, and communication, aiming to grow regional collaboration in aerospace technology.
War in the Middle East and the Role of AI-Powered Cyberattacks manaramagazine.org 1 fact
measurementMicrosoft has invested over $15 billion into United Arab Emirates AI projects, Amazon Web Services is building multi-billion-dollar data hubs in Saudi Arabia, and Google has announced a $10 billion AI cloud center in Saudi Arabia.
Fact Sheet: USTR Initiates 60 Section 301 Investigations Relating to ... ustr.gov 1 fact
claimThe Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated Section 301 investigations into 60 specific economies: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China (People’s Republic of), Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, European Union, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Analysis - The Iran War: Strategic Implications for Israel, the Gulf ... elnetwork.eu 1 fact
claimThe Gulf states, comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, are not formal parties to the war with Iran but are positioned at the center of the conflict due to their geographic proximity and vulnerability.
USTR Initiates 60 Section 301 Investigations Relating to Failures to ... ustr.gov 1 fact
claimThe 60 US trade partners subject to the USTR Section 301 investigations regarding forced labor include Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, the European Union, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
The Power of Change: Innovation for Development and Deployment ... nationalacademies.org 1 fact
claimSeveral countries are in the early stages of implementing nuclear power programs or are considering doing so, including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Jordan, Lithuania, and Saudi Arabia.
Iran and the Gulf: Why Hedging Is No Longer Enough warontherocks.com 1 fact
claimUnilateral security mechanisms, such as the Saudi Arabia–Pakistan and United Arab Emirates–India arrangements, do not alleviate the immediate security dilemma faced by Gulf states.
Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels - CEBRI cebri.org 1 fact
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are notable for cost-competitive and emissions-efficient oil and gas production, while Norway is notable for low-emissions production across both oil and natural gas.
Conflict in the Middle East and the Impact on the Global Economy trendsresearch.org 1 fact
claimCrude oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz originates from Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.