Has the UAE's meteoric rise reached its limit?

Has the UAE's meteoric rise reached its limit? Submitted by Ahmed Mawlana on Tue, 07/28/2026 - 16:03 In recent decades, Abu Dhabi has become one of the region's most assertive powers - but the geopolitical landscape is changing rapidly UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the G7 summit in Evian, France, on 16 June 2026 (Mandel Ngan/AFP) Off Few major issues in the Middle East unfold today without the UAE playing a role. From backing Egypt ’s 2013 military coup , to intervening in Yemen , to supporting renegade general Khalifa Haftar in Libya and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan , the Emiratis have built a network of influence across the Horn of Africa, while investing strategically in ports, energy, technology and defence.