The Financial Times published an extensive report on the transformation of the United Arab Emirates’ standing in the United States over the past 20 years, describing how it moved from facing security and political suspicions following the September 11 attacks and the Dubai Ports World controversy in 2006 to becoming Washington’s most prominent strategic partner in the Middle East, backed by intensive diplomatic activity and massive investments.
The report noted that the failure of the Dubai Ports World deal in 2006 represented a major turning point in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) foreign policy. It prompted Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed to adopt a long-term strategy aimed at improving the country’s image and intensifying efforts to strengthen relations within American political, security, and economic institutions.
In this context, the UAE Ambassador to Washington, Yousef Al Otaiba, has played a pivotal role since 2008, overseeing the development of an extensive network of relations with U.S. administrations, Congress, think tanks, and the media. According to OpenSecrets data, the UAE spent more than $270 million over the past decade, including funding prominent research institutions such as the Atlantic Council, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the RAND Corporation.
The report also highlighted that the Abraham Accords signed with Israel in 2020 significantly contributed to consolidating the UAE’s standing within U.S. circles, particularly during the administration of President Trump. Al Otaiba’s relationships with influential figures such as Jared Kushner helped open direct channels of communication with policymakers and overcome criticism directed at the UAE’s regional policies.
The report concluded by noting that the UAE strategy has undergone a qualitative transformation in recent years, with the focus shifting from traditional political and military relations toward expanding direct investment in strategic sectors of the United States, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence technology and other vital fields.
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