Webinar: The UAE: A Reliable U.S. Ally?

The United Arab Emirates has historically been one of the United States’ foremost partners in the Middle East, providing cooperation on counterterrorism, energy and economic issues for decades. In recent years, however, there has been a fraying of those relations and questions have arisen regarding the reliability of the Emiratis as partners to US interests. From accusations of attempting to influence US domestic politics to cooperation with Chinese business interests, Abu Dhabi has been increasingly at odds with the US both regionally and globally. Given the depth of intelligence and security dealings between the two states, the unravelling of longstanding ties would be a significant development. Do these challenges to bilateral relations simply represent a period of tension or a more significant divergence away from Washington’s camp?

Opening Remarks:

Dr. Yannis Stivachtis, Professor of Political Science, Jean Monnet Chair & CEUTTSS Director

Thomas Freebairn, Program Coordinator Washington institute for Defense & Security

Panelists:

1.The UAE Strategy and Foreign Policy

Dr. Annelle Sheline, Research Fellow, Middle East program, Quincy Institute.

2. US-UAE Relations

Dr. Georgeta Pourchot, Adjunct Professor of Political Science and CEUTTSS Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Virginia Tech.

3. The Turkish Factor in the UAE’s Foreign and Security Policy

Dr. Dimitris Tsarouhas, Visiting Professor of Political Science and CEUTTSS Research Fellow, Virginia Tech.

4. The Strategic Dimension of the UAE’s Relations with Greece and Cyprus

Dr. Yannis a. Stivachtis, Professor of Political Science, Jean Monnet Chair, and CEUTTSS Director, Virginia Tech.