The UAE is fast adapting to the changing realities of global politics and affirming its new status as an active middle power that keeps up with the latest in global conversations.
So, if the current global conversation is about the rise of Asia as the new centre of global gravity, the UAE is fast rediscovering its Asia affinity. It is proudly an Arab Gulf state but increasingly becoming aware of its Asian identity, too. The 21st-century UAE is thinking Asia, gradually pivoting East and getting used to being geographically and strategically affiliated with West Asia just as it a rising Middle East power house. The UAE's Asian affinity is bound to deepen in the years to come, as Asia emerges as the continent of the future.
And if the latest mega-trend in the world order is the rise of a group of countries called the Global South, the UAE is becoming a role model in that group. It is already a leading member of Group of 77 at the UN. But more tellingly, the UAE has unreservedly confirmed its full and active membership of Brics+, the intercontinental bloc made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as well as Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the UAE. The UAE’s inclusion in Brics+ signals its growing geopolitical ambition and its pivot toward alternative international alliances. As a new member of this intercontinental bloc, it aspires to be the voice of the Global South.
But then, if the 21st-century global conversation is about the role of middle powers, the UAE has already made it to the list of about 30 states that scholars have identified as the middle powers of the world. The list also includes two other Arab Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The UAE is no longer the small state it once was. It doesn’t think small anymore. It no longer acts like a small state. The new UAE thinks and behaves as an active and proactive middle power. Key global and regional capitals respect the UAE as a credible and trustworthy member of that club.
The 21st century is still an American century, regardless of the massive uncertainties and disruptions recently experienced
Finally, if the current global conversation is about the role of so-called “mini-lateralists” in world politics, then the UAE has become a prominent player in this era of mini-lateralists collectively navigating the post-American world. Mini-lateralism is form of international co-operation that involves a random group of countries working together to solve specific problems or achieve common goals.
The UAE is leveraging its strategic location, economic power, financial clout, soft power and diplomatic agility to engage in varieties of global economic diplomacy. The best illustration of this is its latest strategic drive to diversify and strengthen its global trade relations. As of 2025, the UAE has signed 26 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepas) with key global partners. Eight of these are fully active.
The UAE mini-laterlist drive also includes being founding member of four countries that make up I2U2 group – the strategic partnership between India, Israel, the US and, of course, the UAE. This partnership was launched in 2021 to collaborate on economic and technological projects, especially in areas such energy, health care and food security.
Additionally, the UAE is a signatory to the Abrahamic Accords, signed in September 2020 at the White House with Israel. The Accord aimed to establish new diplomatic, economic and cultural ties, promoting peace and stability in the troubled Mena region.
No less important is the Emirates’ prominent status as a founding member of the Imec, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which is a major international infrastructure initiative launched in September 2023 during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
These are but a few examples of the UAE using its active foreign policy and ambitious diplomacy to navigate the post-American world order.
But despite keeping up with the global mega-trends, the UAE is fully aware that the contemporary world order remains fundamentally unipolar. The 21st century is still an American century, regardless of the massive uncertainties and disruptions recently experienced.
The UAE values its newly designated status as a Major Defence Partner of the US, which came about during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit to Washington in September. This designation, previously granted only to India, marks a significant elevation in US-UAE strategic relations.
As an active middle power, the UAE feels comfortable setting next to America, the only super power around, and is getting ready to welcome US President Donald Trump next week.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Scoreline
Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3
- Agüero 18'
- Kompany 58'
- Silva 65'
