Leading American economist Jeffrey Sachs has issued a stern warning to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding its increasing involvement in the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, cautioning that the country risks severe consequences by aligning itself closely with the United States and Israel. Sachs emphasized the immediate dangers faced by key UAE cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, highlighting their vulnerability due to their status as tourist and commercial hubs rather than fortified military zones.
Sachs characterized the UAE's current trajectory as an "absurd mess," arguing that the nation knowingly entered into a precarious position and is now compounding its risks by doubling down on strategic decisions that may prove disastrous. He underscored that Dubai and Abu Dhabi are primarily resort destinations, designed to attract wealthy tourists and investors, not to withstand missile attacks or serve as military strongholds. According to Sachs, involving these cities in a regional war threatens to undermine their fundamental economic and social purpose. He warned that should the UAE become embroiled in conflict, these urban centers could face devastating attacks, potentially "blowing up" the very areas that drive the country's prosperity.
Central to Sachs's critique is the UAE's alignment with the United States and Israel through the Abraham Accords - a series of normalization agreements that marked a significant shift in regional diplomacy. Sachs described the UAE's participation in these accords as an "invitation for disaster," arguing that the Gulf nation has placed excessive reliance on American military protection. This reliance, he contended, creates a dangerous dependency, leaving the UAE vulnerable to becoming a target in broader geopolitical conflicts involving the US and Israel. Sachs referenced former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's description of such alliances as "fatal friendships," highlighting the risks inherent in tying national security to the fortunes of external powers.
According to Sachs, the UAE's calculation was that by hosting US military facilities on its soil, it could enjoy a protective shield that would allow it to pursue independent foreign policies and regional deals without fear of retaliation. He called this belief a "fundamental miscalculation," warning that the presence of US military infrastructure could instead make the UAE a focal point for adversaries seeking to strike American interests. He urged the UAE leadership to reconsider its approach, cautioning against "doubling down on a losing proposition." Sachs advised the country to carefully reassess the evolving situation to safeguard its security and avoid unnecessary escalation.
This cautionary stance from Sachs mirrors the increasingly assertive rhetoric coming from Tehran, which has been escalating tensions in response to recent regional developments. On March 20, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal call to countries in West Asia to prevent the use of their military bases by the United States for strikes against Iran. Tehran labeled these foreign military installations as the "root cause" of the ongoing crisis in the region and warned that permitting their use for hostile actions would amount to complicity in aggression.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesman emphasized the urgent need for regional governments to take action to stop America and Israel-referred to by Iran as the "Zionist regime"-from conducting military operations against Iran from their territories. He further cautioned that nations hosting US military bases risk facing repercussions if those facilities are used in attacks on Iran. This warning reflects Tehran's strategy to isolate US military presence and to pressure neighboring states to reconsider their cooperation with Washington in military matters.
Meanwhile, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including the UAE, have condemned Iran's recent missile and drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure in the region. These attacks have further heightened tensions and have driven Gulf countries to publicly signal stronger alignment with the United States in the ongoing conflict. The GCC's condemnation underscores the deepening divisions in the region and the complex web of alliances and rivalries shaping the security landscape.
Sachs's warnings and Tehran's aggressive posture highlight the precarious position in which Gulf states find themselves. On one hand, they rely heavily on US military support to deter threats and maintain stability, while on the other, their cooperation with the US and Israel increasingly exposes them to retaliatory strikes by Iran and its allies. This delicate balance poses serious challenges for the UAE and other Gulf nations as they navigate a volatile geopolitical environment.
In summary, Jeffrey Sachs cautions the UAE that its current course-anchored in close ties to the US and Israel through the Abraham Accords-is fraught with danger. He stresses that the country's economic and social centers, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are ill-suited to military conflict and that involvement in war risks catastrophic damage. Sachs calls on the UAE to reevaluate its strategy and avoid exacerbating an already dangerous situation.
At the same time, Iran's Foreign Ministry has openly challenged regional countries hosting US military bases, urging them to deny the use of their territories for attacks against Iran and warning of consequences if they fail to comply. The Gulf states' condemnation of Iranian strikes on their infrastructure further accentuates the growing tensions and alignment with the US.
The situation remains fluid and tense, with the UAE and other Gulf nations caught between the competing pressures of regional security, international alliances, and economic interests. As the conflict unfolds, the decisions taken by these countries will have significant implications for regional stability and their own national security.