The US and UAE’s relationship extend over decades and has survived numerous challenges. The recent assistance the UAE and Turkey provided to help the US successfully evacuate its diplomates and their families from Sudan is a perfect example of the deep friendship and alliance despite the apparent recent disagreements. The US public appreciation to the effort is an acknowledgment of the important role the UAE plays in the region to advance the interests of the US and protect its citizens.
While the UAE is not considered by any means one of the top countries militarily, it is considered one of the world’s most powerful countries financially and diplomatically applying peaceful and effective soft diplomacy to diffuse tension and achieve prompt results.
In recent years, the UAE and Saudi Arabia emerged as the new regional leading super powers economically and diplomatically influencing decision making across the Middle East and Africa to say the least. It would be a sizable mistake if the US ignores or underestimates this fact in light of the recent advancement of the Chinese and Russian interest and involvement in the region.