Geopolitical Briefing: United Arab Emirates
11 May 2025
- Sudan severs diplomatic ties with UAE over alleged support to RSF militia.
- UAE’s G42 expands AI operations into the U.S., aligning with a $1.4 trillion investment framework.
- Abu Dhabi Ports signs a 50-year concession with Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone for a logistics hub.
- UAE lifts Lebanon travel ban following Lebanese President’s visit to Abu Dhabi.
- UAE plans to introduce AI education in public schools from the next academic year.(The Guardian)
Sudan’s Security and Defence Council announced the severance of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of supplying advanced weaponry to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which recently conducted drone attacks on Port Sudan’s infrastructure. The UAE denies these allegations, and the International Court of Justice dismissed Sudan’s genocide case against the UAE due to jurisdictional limitations. This development underscores the UAE’s controversial involvement in regional conflicts, potentially undermining its relations with Muslim-majority nations.(AP News, AP News)
Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42, chaired by UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced its expansion into the United States, establishing a U.S. entity in Delaware. This move is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and diversify its economy. The expansion aligns with a ten-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework between the UAE and the U.S., focusing on sectors like AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing. By strengthening ties with the U.S. and distancing itself from Chinese tech suppliers, the UAE reinforces its position within the U.S. geopolitical orbit, potentially at the expense of deeper integration with Muslim-majority nations.
In a significant economic development, Abu Dhabi Ports signed a 50-year concession agreement with Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone to establish a 20-square-kilometer logistics and industrial zone east of Port Said. The initial phase involves a $120 million investment for development and feasibility studies over three years. This initiative enhances the UAE’s strategic positioning in global trade routes, particularly the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), further entrenching its role in U.S.-backed economic projects and potentially limiting its autonomy in regional affairs.
The UAE announced the lifting of its travel ban to Lebanon, effective May 7, following a visit by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to Abu Dhabi. While this move signals a thaw in bilateral relations, it also reflects the UAE’s pragmatic approach to regional diplomacy, balancing its alliances with Western powers and its engagement with neighboring Arab states. However, such actions may be perceived as superficial gestures that do not substantially alter the UAE’s alignment with non-Muslim actors in the region.
Domestically, the UAE plans to introduce artificial intelligence as a subject in public schools from the next academic year. This educational reform aims to prepare the Emirati youth for a future dominated by AI technologies. However, the emphasis on technological advancement may come at the cost of reinforcing Islamic cultural and educational values, potentially leading to a dilution of traditional societal norms in favor of Western liberal ideals.
