Reference News Network, March 18 report: According to the Singapore "Lianhe Zaobao" website, March 15 report, the deterioration of the Middle East situation has not only caused a humanitarian disaster, but also brought devastating blows to the regional ecological environment. At the same time, the UAE city of Dubai, which has long boasted of being a "safe haven," is now desperately trying to use public opinion control to salvage its damaged international commercial and tourism image after suffering a large-scale missile attack by Iran. Benjamin Neimark, a scholar of political ecology at Queen Mary University of London, said that the US and Israel have deployed stealth bombers and fighter jets around the clock, emitting massive greenhouse gases. Although large aircraft carriers mostly use nuclear power, part of the energy on board still relies on high-pollution diesel generators.
The Hormuz Strait, a key shipping lane, has also been affected by the war. Neimark said that ships transporting highly flammable fuels through this narrow waterway, as well as oil refining plants and storage facilities in the surrounding areas, have become targets of attacks. The toxic fires caused by these attacks not only cost lives, but also brought huge climate costs.
At the same time as the environmental emergency, the UAE's economic pillars are also facing serious challenges. According to reports, Iran has launched more than 1,800 missiles and drones toward the UAE, the largest number among all countries. Although the UAE's air defense system intercepted most of the attacks, the "safe empire" brand has been severely shaken. Currently, the Dubai authorities are cracking down on the act of sharing attack videos. Local social media influencers have all voiced support for the government, repeatedly emphasizing that the UAE is still safe, trying to win back public sentiment and investment confidence.
Ninety percent of the UAE's population are foreign residents, who are the core driving force of the economy's diversification. However, with the Iranian threat of attacking and targeting economic goals related to the US and Israel, a large number of companies have already left Dubai's financial district this week.
At the beginning of the war, UAE President Mohammed made a high-profile tour of the Dubai Mall to calm people's hearts. But the reality is not optimistic, with the number of visitors to core attractions such as the Dubai Mall and JBR Beach has dropped to "a trickle," with a large number of tourists choosing to leave.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7618420032585892352/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.