The UAE’s geopolitical trajectory over the past decade has been one of the most consequential shifts in Middle Eastern foreign policy. From the Abraham Accords normalisation with Israel in 2020 to its accession to BRICS in 2024, the federation has systematically expanded its diplomatic and strategic footprint while maintaining its position as a key US security partner in the Gulf. This dual posture — deepening ties with both Western allies and emerging-power blocs — reflects a foreign policy doctrine built on strategic hedging, economic pragmatism, and the pursuit of influence disproportionate to the country’s size. Under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the UAE has moved from regional actor to global connector, positioning itself at the intersection of competing geopolitical currents rather than aligning exclusively with any single bloc.
Within the GCC, the UAE navigates a complex relationship with Saudi Arabia that is simultaneously cooperative and competitive. Both nations are pursuing aggressive economic diversification and competing for the same pools of foreign investment, talent, and corporate headquarters. The resolution of the Qatar blockade, the evolution of Oman’s post-Sultan Qaboos foreign policy, and the broader recalibration of Gulf security arrangements all factor into a regional dynamic that is more fluid than at any point in the GCC’s history. Beyond the Gulf, the UAE’s involvement in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), its expanding presence in the Horn of Africa, and its deepening economic ties with China and Russia add layers of complexity to a foreign policy that defies simple categorisation.
This section provides geopolitical intelligence analysis focused on the UAE’s external positioning. It covers bilateral relationships, multilateral memberships, defence and security partnerships, trade diplomacy, and the geopolitical implications of economic programmes. Each article situates developments within the broader strategic framework of We the UAE 2031 and the federation’s long-term ambition to be a shaping force in the emerging multipolar order.