Emirati foreign policy will draw strong criticism

Significance

The conflict has created tensions between the UAE’s leaders and Arab public opinion. Over the longer term, the country’s assertive foreign policy has also drawn criticism from its main security guarantor, the United States, because of its increasing ties with Russia and China and its involvement in regional and African conflicts.

Impacts

• The UAE will strengthen a wide range of bilateral economic ties by signing more Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements.
• Climate activists and Western governments will question the UAE’s environmental credentials in the lead-up to the COP28 climate conference.
• The UAE will use its hosting of events such as COP28 and sport tournaments to boost its global soft power.