Wars at arm’s length: How the UAE became a shadowy power and betrayed Sheikh Zayed’s legacy

Until his death on 2 November 2004, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan guided the UAE with a policy of neutrality, cautious diplomacy, and humanitarian aid. Known as an Arab nationalist, he prioritised pan-Arab unity and support for Palestine. After the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, he  declared, “Arab oil is not dearer than Arab blood,” endorsing the UAE’s role in the oil embargo. Under his leadership, the UAE avoided regional conflicts and was viewed as a quiet stabilising force in the Arab world. After Sheikh Zayed’s death in 2004, the UAE’s stance shifted dramatically. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed’s (MbZ) assertive leadership, it became an interventionist power, using wealth, arms, and proxies to destabilise the region—spreading conflict and war wherever […]