【Is the UAE becoming a U.S.-Israel proxy in the Middle East?】 According to The New York Times, the UAE has grown dissatisfied with Pakistan's growing ties with Iran and Saudi Arabia, believing that Pakistanis are attempting to mediate between the U.S. and Iran without condemning Iran’s attacks—leading to deteriorating relations between the UAE and Pakistan.
As a response, the UAE has taken measures to expel and repatriate Shia Pakistani workers.
Those expelled stated that Emiratis believe every Shia Muslim is an Iranian supporter.
Last month, the UAE demanded repayment of a $3.5 billion loan provided to Pakistan.
In response, Saudi Arabia intervened by depositing $3 billion to bolster Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
Saudi Arabia supports Pakistan’s diplomatic mediation efforts between the U.S. and Iran, welcoming the containment of regional conflicts.
The UAE is also reportedly unhappy about Pakistan’s increasingly close relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the UAE has been purchasing insurance from Israel, believing that the U.S. cannot guarantee the security of its allies and thus opting instead for regional protectors.
The UAE would rather not reach a peace agreement because once peace is achieved among the U.S., Israel, and Iran, wars may cease for others—but for the UAE, long-term problems would just begin.
Iran remains poised and positioned across the Strait of Hormuz; geography does not change, and threats do not disappear.
The memory of this conflict will not fade—the UAE people will have to live daily with the awareness that one misjudgment, one act of retaliation, or one future escalation could directly plunge them back under Iran’s shadow.
Is the UAE’s future role to become a U.S.-Israel proxy—a wedge driven into the Gulf on their behalf?
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864213123701760/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author