The UAE as a key player in the MENA & Gulf Region: Perspectives from Europe

Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become one among the most influential regional players across the Middle East and North Africa, with a deepening role from the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf to North Africa and the Horn of Africa. Leveraging its soft power, recently developed military capabilities and political capacity, the UAE now plays a significant role in shaping the regional order.

In this context, the European Council on Foreign Relations and the German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG) are delighted to invite you to a discussion with two prominent Emirati political scientists, Dr. Mohammad Baharoon and Dr. Abdulkhaleq Abdulla. Together with ECFR's Gulf policy fellow Cinzia Bianco, these leading Emirati analysts will consider the drivers of the UAE's regional polices, addressing challenges and opportunities. The conversation will also consider the status of relations with Germany and Europe on key regional files – noting Emirati participation in the ongoing German-led Libya initiative – as well as means of navigating areas of divergence and competition.

Dr. Abdulkhaleq Abdulla is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the UAE University and a prominent political advisor in the country.

Dr. Mohammed Baharoon is the Founder and Member of the Board of Directors of Bussola Institute and the Director General of b'huth. 

Cinzia Bianco is a Visiting Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Programme at ECFR.