Difference between revisions of "United Arab Emirates"

Latest revision as of 22:50, May 8, 2026

دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة Dowlat Al-Imārāt al-‘Arabīya al-Muttaḥida
Flag
Capital	Abu Dhabi
Government	Federal constitutional monarchy
Language	Arabic (official)
President	Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime minister	Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Area	32,278 sq. miles
Population	9,900,000 (2020)
GDP	$400,000,000,000 (2020)
GDP per capita	$40,404 (2020)
Currency	UAE dirham

The United Arab Emirates (usually called the UAE, or simply the Emirates) is a small, very rich oil country in the Middle East, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. The country is made up of seven Emirates: the two most important are Abu Dhabi and Dubai; the others are Ajmān, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Only 11% of the UAE's resident population are natives to the non-democratic country; the vast majority are migrant workers, mostly from South Asia.^[1]

After nearly six decades the UAE left the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in late April 2026. The UAE joined OPEC four years before it became a UN-recognized nation state.

Geography

The UAE is a desert country, situated on the Arabian Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz; it shares an undefined boundary with Saudi Arabia and Oman.

• Area: 82,880 km². (30,000 sq. mi.); about the size of Maine.
• Cities (2002 est.): Capital—Abu Dhabi (pop. 1,000,000); Dubai (pop. 860,000).
• Terrain: Largely desert with some agricultural areas.
• Climate: Hot, humid, low annual rainfall.

People

Only 15-20% of the total population of 4.4 million is U.A.E. citizens. The rest include significant numbers of other Arabs—Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians, Yemenis, Omanis—as well as many Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Iranians, Afghans, Filipinos, and west Europeans.

The majority of U.A.E. citizens are Sunni Muslims with a very small Shi'a minority. Many foreigners also are Muslim, although Hindus and Christians make up a portion of the U.A.E.'s foreign population.

Educational standards among U.A.E. citizens population are rising rapidly. Citizens and temporary residents have taken advantage of facilities throughout the country. The UAE University in Al Ain had roughly 17,000 students in 2004. The Higher Colleges of Technology, a network of technical-vocational colleges, opened in 1989 with men's and women's campuses in each emirate. Zayed University for women opened in 1998 with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Zayed University will establish separate male campuses for the 2007-2008 academic year. American University Sharjah had over 4,500 students enrolled in 2007. Many foreign universities, including ones from the U.S., U.K., and Australia, also have campuses in the U.A.E.

• Population (2007 est.): 4.4 million.
• Population growth rate (2007 est.): 4.0%.
• Ethnic groups: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Jordanian, Iranian, Filipino, other Arab; (15-20% of residents are U.A.E. citizens).
• Religions: Muslim (96%), Hindu, Christian.
• Languages: Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Urdu, Persian.
• Education: Years compulsory—ages 6–12. Literacy (U.A.E. citizens)--about 80%.
• Health: Life expectancy—about 76 yrs.
• Work force (2006) 2.968 million (93% foreign in 15-64 age group): Agriculture—2.3%; industry—61.9%; services—35.8%.

Government

Administratively, the U.A.E. is a loose federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. The pace at which local government in each emirate evolves from traditional to modern is set primarily by the ruler. Under the provisional constitution of 1971, each emirate reserves considerable powers, including control over mineral rights (notably oil and gas) and revenues. In this milieu, federal powers have developed slowly. The constitution established the positions of President (Chief of State) and Vice President, each serving 5-year terms; a Council of Ministers, led by a Prime Minister (head of government); a supreme council of rulers; and a 40-member Federal National Council (FNC). The FNC is a consultative body with half its members appointed by the emirate rulers and half elected.

Principal Government Officials

• President, Ruler of Abu Dhabi—Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Ruler of Dubai—Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• Deputy Prime Minister—Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan
• Deputy Prime Minister—Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan
• Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince—Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development—Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais
• Minister of Economy—Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
• Minister of Education—Dr. Hanif Hassan
• Minister of Energy—Mohammed bin Dha'en Al Hamili
• Minister of Environment and Water—Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi
• Minister of Federal National Council Affairs—Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash
• Minister of Finance and Industry—Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• Minister of Foreign Affairs—Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Minister of Governmental Sector Development—Sultan Al Mansouri
• Minister of Health—Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami
• Minister of Higher Education—Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
• Minister of Interior—Major Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Minister of Justice—Mohammed Nakhira Al Daheri
• Minister of Labor—Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi
• Minister of Presidential Affairs—Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Minister of Public Works—Sheikh amdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
• Minister of Social Affairs—Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi
• Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs—Mohammad Abdullah Gergawi
• Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs—Dr. Mohammed Khalfan Bin Kharbash
• Minister of State for Foreign Affairs—Mohammed Hussain Al Sha'ali

Political Conditions

The relative political and financial influence of each emirate is reflected in the allocation of positions in the federal government. The ruler of Abu Dhabi, whose emirate is the U.A.E.'s major oil producer, is president of the U.A.E. The ruler of Dubai,^[2][3] which is the U.A.E.'s commercial center, is vice president and prime minister.

Since achieving "independence" from the British Empire in 1971, the U.A.E. has worked to strengthen its federal institutions. Nonetheless, each emirate still retains substantial autonomy, and progress toward greater federal integration has slowed in recent years. A basic concept in the U.A.E. Government's development as a federal system is that a significant percentage of each emirate's revenues should be devoted to the U.A.E. central budget.

The U.A.E. is non-democratic, has no political parties, and none of its residents - the 11% natural born and 89% migrant workers - has any citizenship rights. The rulers hold power on the basis of their monarchial dynastic position and their "legitimacy" in a system of tribal consensus. Rapid modernization, enormous strides in education, and the influx of a large foreign population have changed the face of the society. In December 2006, the U.A.E. held its first-ever limited cosmetic elections to appease Western critics and select half the members of the FNC. Ballots were cast by electors selected by the emir of each emirate. A token woman was elected to the FNC and seven additional women were appointed to be council members.

Foreign Relations

The U.A.E. is a member of the United Nations and the Arab League and has established diplomatic relations with more than 60 countries, including the U.S., Israel, Japan, Russia, the People's Republic of China, and most western European countries. It has played a moderate role in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, the United Nations, and the GCC.

Substantial development assistance has increased the U.A.E.'s stature among recipient states. Most of this foreign aid (in excess of $15 billion) has been to Arab and Muslim countries.

Following 1990 Persian Gulf War, the U.A.E. has sought to rely on the GCC, the United States, and other Western allies for its security. The U.A.E. believes that the Arab League needs to be restructured to become a viable institution and would like to increase strength and interoperability of the GCC defense forces.

In 2007, the U.A.E. pledged and delivered $300 million to Lebanon, and was the first country to fulfill its pledge. The U.A.E. has provided significant monetary and material support to the Iraqi Government, including a pledge of $215 million in economic and reconstruction assistance, and has also provided substantial aid to Afghanistan and the Palestinian Authority.

The U.A.E. is a member of the following international organizations: UN and several of its specialized agencies (ICAO, ILO, UPU, WHO, WIPO); World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Freedom of Speech

Criticizing the UAE government or officials is illegal and whoever does so is subject to 15 years of imprisonment.^{[Citation Needed]}

Military

The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of public order on the coast and commanded by British officers, were turned over to the U.A.E. as its defense forces in 1971. The U.A.E. armed forces, consisting of 48,800 troops, are headquartered in Abu Dhabi and are primarily responsible for the defense of the seven emirates.

Although small in number, the U.A.E. armed forces are equipped with some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a variety of outside countries. The military has been reducing the number of foreign nationals in its ranks, and its officer corps is composed almost entirely of U.A.E. nationals. The U.A.E. air force has about 4,000 personnel. The Air Force has advanced U.S. F-16 BLOCK 60 multi-role fighter aircraft. Other equipment includes French Mirage 2000-9 fighters, British Hawk trainer aircraft, 36 transport aircraft and U.S. Apache and French Puma helicopters. The Air Defense Force is linked into a joint air defense system with the other six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations aimed at protecting the airspace of the allied states. The U.A.E. Navy is small—about 2,500 personnel—and maintains 12 well-equipped coastal patrol boats and 8 missile boats. Although primarily concerned with coastal defense, the Navy is constructing a six-unit class of blue water corvettes in conjunction with French shipbuilder CMN. The U.A.E.'s Land Forces are equipped with several hundred French LeClerc tanks and a similar number of Russian BMP-3 armored fighting vehicles. The U.A.E. Special Operations Command (SOC) is a small but effective force centered on the counter-terrorism mission within the country. SOC is well-financed, trained, and equipped and is capable of executing its mission with a level of expertise equal to, or above, the rest of the GCC.

The U.A.E. contributes to the continued security and stability of the Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz. It is a leading partner in the campaign against global terrorism, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and financial arenas since September 11, 2001

Al Dhafra Air Base

The AN/TPY-2 Radar associated with the THAAD system was built at a cost of $500 million. This forward-based X-band radar provided precise tracking for terminal high-altitude missile defense. Iran destroyed it shortly after the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026. Open-source satellite imagery (Planet Labs) showed a direct hit.

Economy

The Fujairah pipeline bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.

Prior to the first exports of oil in 1962, the U.A.E. economy was dominated by pearl production, fishing, agriculture, and herding. Since the rise of oil prices in 1973, however, petroleum has dominated the economy, accounting for most of its export earnings and providing significant opportunities for investment. The U.A.E. has huge proven oil reserves, estimated at 98.8 billion barrels in 2003, with gas reserves estimated at (212 trillion cubic feet); at present production rates, these supplies would last well over 150 years. In 2006, the U.A.E. produced about 2.8 million barrels of oil per day.

Major increases in imports occurred in manufactured goods, machinery, and transportation equipment, which together accounted for 70% of total imports. Another important foreign exchange earner, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority—which controls the investments of Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest emirate—manages an estimated $600 billion in overseas investments.

More than 6,000 companies from more than 120 countries operate at the Jebel Ali complex in Dubai, which includes a deep-water port and a free trade zone for manufacturing and distribution in which all goods for re-export or transshipment enjoy a 100% duty exemption. A major power plant with associated water desalination units, an aluminum smelter, and a steel fabrication unit are prominent facilities near the complex.

Except in the free trade zone, the U.A.E. requires at least 51% local citizen ownership in all businesses operating in the country as part of its attempt to place Emiratis into leadership positions.

As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the U.A.E. participates in a wide range of GCC activities that focus on economic issues. These include regular consultations and development of common policies covering trade, investment, banking and finance, transportation, telecommunications, and other technical areas, including protection of intellectual property rights.

• GDP (2006 est.): $163 billion.
• Annual growth rate (2006 est.): 9.7%.
• Per capita GDP (2006 est.): $37,000.
• Inflation rate (2006 est.): 10-13%.
• Natural resources: Oil and natural gas.
• Agriculture (2005 est., 2.0% of GDP): Products—vegetables, dates, dairy products, poultry, fish.
• Petroleum (2005 est.): 36%.
• Manufacturing (2005 est.): 13%.
• Services (44% of 2003 GDP): Trade, government, real estate.
• Trade (2006 est.): Exports--$157 billion: petroleum, gas, and petroleum products. Major markets—Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India. Imports--$126.6 billion: machinery, chemicals, food. Major suppliers—Western Europe, Japan, U.S., China, India.
• Foreign economic aid (2004): In excess of $5.25 billion.

DP World

DP World is a multinational logistics company based in Dubai. It specializes in cargo logistics, port terminal operations, maritime services and has a footprint in more than 80 countries.

Two weeks before Operation Epic Fury began Dubai's Government Media Office announced a new chairman and CEO was appointed to head DP World,^[4] a position held by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem since 2007.^[5]

Sulayem was named in the Epstein Files as a co-conspirator in the child sex trafficking ring led by Jeffrey Epstein. On 24 April 2009, Epstein sent him an email stating "where are you? are you ok I loved the torture video". On 9 February 2026, Representative Thomas Massie confirmed bin Sulayem was the recipient of that email.^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

Epstein acted as a middleman, helping bin Sulayem lobby Peter Mandelson—who had become the UK Business Secretary—for government support of the London Gateway port project. Mandelson was later appointed Ambassador to the United States by Keir Stormer during the Biden regime.

According to a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), bin Sulayem's name appears in the documents more than 4,700 times.^[11] Epstein affectionately described bin Sulayem, whose name appears thousands of times in the latest batch, as “funny,” “educated,” “a master” and a “best and trusted friend.”^[12]

Documents released by the US Department of Justice show that Jeffrey Epstein acted as an intermediary to help bin Sulayem lobby the UK government in 2009 for support regarding the £1.8 billion London Gateway port project. Epstein reportedly shared the personal email address of Peter Mandelson—who was then the UK Business Secretary—with bin Sulayem and advised him on how to push through a deal. Emails indicate Epstein told Mandelson to "be nice to Sultan" in October 2009. The lobbying effort was aimed at securing government loan guarantees for the DP World deep-water port project on the Thames in Essex. The project went ahead, and DP World currently runs the London Gateway port.^[13][14]

Epstein initiated contact between bin Sulayem and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as early as 2012, years before the normalization of ties under the Abraham Accords.^[15] In 2013, bin Sulayem sent an email to Epstein stating that he had been invited to lunch by Prince Andrew.^[14]

From 2011 to 2014, bin Sulayem reportedly was scheduled to visit Epstein's townhouse.^[16] Bin Sulayem had Epstein ask Peter Mandelson to join the board of one of his companies in 2014. In 2016, Great St. James was for sale. Epstein already owned Little St. James, but the owner of the larger island did not want to sell it to him, because he was a registered sex offender. To buy it in secret, Epstein created a limited liability company in bin Sulayem's name to make the $22.5 million purchase.^[17][18]

Gambling industry

In 2022, Ras Al Khaimah announced a $3.9 billion project, Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is scheduled to open in 2027. The integrated resort is being established by Wynn Resorts, whose CEO Craig Billings confirmed that it will include a 224,000 sq. ft. “casino component”. For its 40% stake, Wynn Resorts contributed $900 million, while the remaining amount was financed by the Ras Al Khaimah government. The UAE has no laws to legalize gaming or gambling equipment. However, the country established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), in September 2023. The GCGRA granted a “Commercial Gaming Facility Operator” license to Wynn Resorts, in October 2024. Given the country’s Sharia laws, gambling is completely prohibited for local citizens. But, the project was quietly progressing to target foreign travelers and reshape the region’s tourism.^[19][20][21]

History

The U.A.E. was formed from the group of tribally organized Arabian Peninsula Sheikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. This area was converted to Islam in the Seventh century; for centuries it was embroiled in dynastic disputes. It became known as the Pirate Coast as raiders based there harassed foreign shipping, although both European and Arab navies patrolled the area from the 17th century into the 19th century. Early British expeditions to protect the India trade from raiders at Ras al-Khaimah led to campaigns against that headquarters and other harbors along the coast in 1819. The next year, a general peace treaty was signed to which all the principal sheikhs of the coast adhered. Raids continued intermittently until 1835, when the sheikhs agreed not to engage in hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United Kingdom, under which the sheikhs (the "Trucial Sheikhdoms") agreed to a "perpetual maritime truce." It was enforced by the United Kingdom, and disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British for settlement.

Primarily in reaction to the ambitions of other European countries, the United Kingdom and the Trucial Sheikhdoms established closer bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to treaties entered into by the U.K. with other Gulf principalities. The sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help out in case of land attack.

In 1955, the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi in the latter's dispute with Saudi Arabia over the Buraimi Oasis and other territory to the south. A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia would have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudi border dispute; however, the agreement has yet to be ratified by the U.A.E. Government. The border with Oman also remains officially unsettled, but the two governments agreed to delineate the border in May 1999. Since that time, the U.A.E. has constructed a border fence along the entire length with both Oman and Saudi Arabia. The new fence and checkpoints will likely be finished by 2008-2009.

In 1968, the U.K. announced its decision, reaffirmed in March 1971, to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms which had been, together with Bahrain and Qatar, under British protection. The nine attempted to form a union of Arab emirates, but by mid-1971 they were unable to agree on terms of union, even though the termination date of the British treaty relationship was the end of 1971. Bahrain became independent in August and Qatar in September 1971. When the British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired on December 1, 1971, they became fully independent. On December 2, 1971, six of them entered into a union called the United Arab Emirates. The seventh, Ras al-Khaimah, joined in early 1972.

The U.A.E. sent forces to help liberate Kuwait during the 1990-91 Gulf War. U.A.E. troops have also participated in peacekeeping missions to Somalia, Lebanon, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, and Kuwait.

In 2004, the U.A.E.'s first and only president until that time, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. His eldest son Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan succeeded him as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. In accordance with the Constitution, the U.A.E.'s Supreme Council of Rulers elected Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as U.A.E. Federal President. Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In January 2006, Sheikh Makotum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, U.A.E. Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, passed away and was replaced by his brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MbR), Ruler of Dubai and U.A.E. Minister of Defense. On February 9, 2006, the U.A.E. announced a cabinet reshuffle. Several ministries were eliminated or renamed, while others were created.

References