US fears close ally choosing Russia

The New York Times said that instead of a foreign policy leaning towards the US as before, the UAE is actively cooperating with Russia and China.

The UAE’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is a key US ally, but he has traveled to Russia twice in the past year to meet with President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, the UAE and Chinese air forces are planning their first joint military exercises, marking a significant shift for the oil-rich Gulf state.

“The development of the relationship shows that the Chinese leader – whom Washington considers an important partner, is increasingly choosing to go his own way” – The New York Times assessed.

At the same time, the newspaper also said that US officials failed to convince the Emirates to join the US foreign policy of limiting the promotion of military relations with China, and "isolating" Russia.

In contrast, the Emirates are thriving thanks to the flow of Russian money, oil and gold, fueling a boom in real estate demand in Dubai - the city that symbolizes the ultimate wealth and glamor.

Sheikh Mohammed’s foreign affairs adviser, Anwar Gargash, told the New York Times that the new international order is generally “becoming more fluid.” Last year, Anwar Gargash bluntly declared that “Western hegemony is on its last legs.”

Tensions between the UAE and the US reached a peak with the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, with the UAE maintaining its “non-partisan” stance.

Analysts say that despite being a close ally of the US, the UAE is now pursuing a policy of making friends with everyone, including Russia and China, while being skeptical of Washington’s security commitments. However, this effort is making the UAE’s relationship with the US much more difficult.