Knowledge Tree
United Arab Emirates
Also known as: UAE, Emirati
Facts (81)
Sources
Opportunities for Collective Regional Security in the Middle East carnegieendowment.org Mar 5, 2025 40 facts
accountSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates countered the rise of Islamist groups by aligning with military and secular elites who opposed those groups throughout the region.
claimThe United Arab Emirates focused its foreign policy on areas such as Sudan following the outbreak of the Sudanese civil war in 2023.
claimThe United Arab Emirates was the only Arab state that expressed a willingness to participate in a peacekeeping force in Gaza after the war.
accountFollowing the 2011 uprisings, regional powers including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Türkiye, and Iran took actions to secure their interests in the unstable environment.
accountTürkiye coordinated with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to pressure the Israeli government to halt military operations and end the war.
claimIran's diplomatic and economic gains achieved between 2020 and 2023, which included restored relations with Saudi Arabia, revitalized trade with the UAE, and emerging dialogues with Egypt and Jordan, have eroded due to wartime strains.
accountIran expanded trade and investment ties with the United Arab Emirates and initiated limited political engagement with Egypt as part of a strategic pivot to reduce tensions and foster regional cooperation.
claimThe post-October 2023 conflict has disrupted the regional agendas of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, despite their shared interest with Egypt and Türkiye in conflict resolution.
accountSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates utilized increased oil revenues to enhance their military capabilities, seek protection guarantees from the United States, and diversify their alliances.
claimTürkiye has engaged in successful diplomatic coordination with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
claimThe United Arab Emirates faced difficulty mitigating tensions between Israel and Iran, as escalating hostilities undermined its efforts to shield the Gulf region from the broader conflict.
measurementThe proxy war in Yemen, fought between Iran-backed Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people between 2015 and 2023.
claimEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Türkiye have rejected Israeli plans for displacement, settlement expansion, and the systematic violation of Lebanese sovereignty, while emphasizing the need to protect the Palestinian cause.
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sought to contain Iranian regional expansion in Bahrain, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
accountThe 2023 diplomatic agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran led to a decrease in military confrontations in Yemen, a partial withdrawal of Saudi and Emirati forces, and a reduction in Houthi aggression against Saudi and Emirati territories.
claimEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Türkiye have provided humanitarian relief to affected Palestinian and Lebanese populations and coordinated diplomatically to press global powers to intervene in the violence across 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 since October 2023.
accountSaudi 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.
accountBefore October 7, 2023, regional actors pursued different security strategies: Saudi Arabia sought to ease tensions with Iran, the UAE deepened cooperation with Israel, Egypt prioritized national security, and Türkiye reduced its regional conflict engagement.
claimThe wars in Gaza and Lebanon, combined with Israel's rejection of the two-state solution, challenged the United Arab Emirates' efforts to project influence through strategic partnerships.
accountPrior to October 2023, the United Arab Emirates withdrew from Yemen, redirected its attention to other conflict zones, and deepened its diplomatic, trade, and security ties with Israel.
claimSaudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar possess the financial and political capital necessary to shape outcomes in Syria and the broader Levant.
claimThe United Arab Emirates seeks to influence postwar scenarios in Gaza by positioning itself as a pragmatic player capable of bridging divides and advancing a cooperative regional framework.
claimThe United Arab Emirates cultivated strong ties with China and Russia to reinforce its international influence.
claimCurrent regional policies often entangle Middle Eastern states in direct or proxy conflicts, such as Israel’s tensions with Iran, Türkiye’s intervention in Syria and Iraq, and the military involvement of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in Yemen.
claimSaudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt are increasingly prioritizing diplomacy and nonviolent foreign policies over military involvement in protracted conflicts to address national security concerns.
claimThe collapse of the Assad regime in Syria destabilized the region and forced the United Arab Emirates to confront the resurgence of armed militias aligned with political Islam, an ideology the UAE considers the greatest security threat to the Middle East.
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.
claimThe feasibility of a collective regional security endeavor involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Türkiye, Israel, and Iran depends on overcoming mutual distrust, conflicting strategic goals, and divergent government policies.
claimPrior to the October 2023 Gaza war, international focus in the Middle East had largely shifted toward the normalization of the Abraham Accords, which involved Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.
claimThe Arab Spring uprisings, occurring between 2011 and 2023, caused radical changes to the foreign policies of six influential regional powers: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Türkiye, Israel, and Iran.
accountThe United Arab Emirates has ended its military involvement in Yemen and redirected its focus toward influencing civil conflicts in Sudan and Libya while maintaining close ties with Israel.
claimIsrael, Iran, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates continue to wield military capabilities in ways that perpetuate cycles of violence and delay meaningful collective action in the Middle East.
accountIsrael established bilateral counterterrorism agreements with Egypt and collaborated with Jordan and the UAE on water resource management.
accountIn 2011, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates perceived the Arab Spring uprisings as a destabilizing force, fearing that the resulting chaos would empower political Islam movements and increase Iranian influence, particularly in Bahrain and Yemen.
accountThe United Arab Emirates pursued a gradual normalization process with Syria, which concluded in December 2024 with the fall of the Assad regime.
claimThe Egyptian government coordinated with the United Arab Emirates and France to curb the Libyan civil war and foster national consensus.
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, which led to repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi and Emirati territories until 2023.
accountThe United Arab Emirates attempted to leverage its relationship with Israel to push for a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian aid, and build regional consensus on governance for postwar Gaza and Lebanon.
claimMiddle Eastern countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Türkiye, Israel, and Iran wield significant influence beyond their borders through political, military, economic, and diplomatic domains.
United States and Iran on the Brink: What's at Stake? - CSIS csis.org 11 facts
claimMs. Yacoubian observes that a rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is occurring simultaneously with rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
claimThe United Arab Emirates has a longer history of experience in artificial intelligence than Saudi Arabia.
claimAmbassador Ziadeh identifies the conflict in Yemen as a primary source of friction between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have a history of tensions but have consistently sought a modus vivendi.
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are competing for investment and both aspire to be hubs for artificial intelligence.
claimAmbassador Ziadeh asserts that historical tensions and differing priorities between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates persist despite current efforts to cooperate.
claimSaudi Arabia became concerned when the Southern Transitional Council breached borders and moved into Hadhramaut and Mahra province, and when the United Arab Emirates moved personnel into areas Saudi Arabia considered contrary to its interests.
claimGCC leaders are actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions and address the Emirati-Saudi rift, which they view as a source of instability.
claimThe conflict between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is hindering their ability to maintain a cohesive approach to regional crises.
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.
claimWashington, Israel, and the UAE are attempting to unify their diplomatic voices to prevent Iran from exploiting divisions in their relationships.
Experts react: How the US war with Iran is playing out around the ... atlanticcouncil.org Mar 1, 2026 10 facts
perspectiveAnwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, characterized Iran's approach as irrational and stated that Iran was isolating itself by failing to respond to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) diplomacy.
accountThe United Arab Emirates' air defense systems intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, though debris from these intercepts caused damage and casualties.
accountIran expanded the circle of combatants during the conflict by targeting infrastructure in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.
claimThe United Arab Emirates has invested in building a stable relationship with Tehran, characterized by increased trade, renewed diplomatic ties, and mutual efforts to prevent escalation in the Persian Gulf.
perspectiveThe United Arab Emirates condemned Iran's missile strikes as a direct violation of sovereignty and international law, and criticized Iran's efforts to regionalize the conflict.
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 from their territory.
accountUAE 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.
claimThe United Arab Emirates maintains a security partnership with the United States while simultaneously aligning with Israel on regional concerns, specifically regarding Iran's missile program and its network of regional militias.
accountFollowing joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against US military bases in the United Arab Emirates, including Al Dhafra Air Base.
claimUnited Arab Emirates officials asserted the country's 'full right to respond' and take necessary measures to protect its territory, people, and interests following recent strikes.
Iran War: A Defining Moment for the Middle East—Global Analysis ... ajc.org 10 facts
claimSpreading false information during a crisis is punishable by law in the United Arab Emirates.
claimThe United Arab Emirates' air defense systems, which utilize American and Israeli technologies, intercepted nearly all of the hundreds of missiles and drones that entered local airspace in recent days.
claimThe U.S. Embassy, along with advisories from the United Kingdom, France, and other countries, instructed their citizens in the United Arab Emirates to shelter in place.
claimSince the Saturday strikes, Gulf countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have operated in close coordination and consultation despite recent tensions.
claimHomes and apartment buildings in the United Arab Emirates generally do not include purpose-built shelters.
measurementDozens of injuries and three fatalities have been reported in the UAE, including damage caused by a drone interception near Abu Dhabi International Airport.
claimIndia has avoided explicit condemnation of U.S. or Israeli strikes against Iran, while simultaneously condemning Iranian retaliation against countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
measurementNearly 90 percent of the population in the United Arab Emirates is expatriate.
claimThe United Arab Emirates government will cover additional accommodation expenses for tourists stranded in the country due to airport closures.
claimThe National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority advises residents of the United Arab Emirates to remain calm and avoid panic buying.
Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the Iran war atlanticcouncil.org Mar 11, 2026 2 facts
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.
What Comes Next? Iran Through a Middle Powers Lens belfercenter.org Mar 3, 2026 1 fact
claimVietnam maintains contingency plans to protect or evacuate approximately 10,000 Vietnamese workers located in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Escalation in the Middle East | MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES msf-me.org 3 days ago 1 fact
claimMedecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) operates three regional hubs in Amman (Jordan), Beirut (Lebanon), and Dubai (UAE) to support regional supply and operational needs.
Escalation in the Middle East and Beyond unocha.org 7 days ago 1 fact
claimIranian strikes have killed or injured civilians, including migrant workers, in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, April 2026 ... securitycouncilreport.org 1 day ago 1 fact
measurementUN Security Council resolution 2817 was drafted by Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) and Jordan, and was co-sponsored by 136 UN member states.
Five fundamental questions for US foreign policy as the Iran war ... mei.edu 1 fact
accountPresident Donald Trump conducted a tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates less than a year prior to the Iran war to secure high-value business deals for the United States.
An Integrated U.S. Strategy to Address Iran's Nuclear and Regional ... carnegieendowment.org Oct 26, 2017 1 fact
claimIsrael is shifting its mix of responses to the Iranian threat due to anxieties about the U.S. regional role, opportunities for collaboration with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and the reemergence of Russia as a major Middle East player.