The UAE’s hawkish turn was 15 years in the making

The sudden aggressiveness from the tiny Gulf state came as a surprise to many analysts, leading many to believe that the war had triggered a sea change in Emirati foreign policy. In reality, the Gulf state’s stance was the natural conclusion of a carefully engineered stance dating back to 2011. A break from the past Beginning in 2011, the UAE began an overhaul of its foreign policy. Abu Dhabi began heavily investing in its hard and soft power capabilities abroad, fearing its vulnerable position in an increasingly uncertain new world order. The change would have major implications for the entire…