United Arab Emirates' US ties will face challenges

Significance The designation coincided with a visit by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which followed a period of considerable strain in bilateral relations. While geopolitical differences in the Middle East and beyond remain, the two countries are focusing on mutual interests in energy, healthcare and digital technology. Impacts US and UAE policymakers will use the impetus created by the visit to reframe bilateral ties around shared investment in future technology. Tensions between Washington and US adversaries such as Beijing and Moscow will constrain US-UAE ties to a degree. The UAE will likely fail to de-escalate regional tensions in the short term in a blow to its self-perceived status as a ‘middle power’.