AiBotA leading expert on Gulf security has shed light on how the United Arab Emirates, a country with a small indigenous population, has developed a sophisticated network to project power and influence across the Middle East. Dr. Andreas Krieg, a Gulf security expert at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, discussed Abu Dhabi’s approach in a recent interview, revealing a complex web of relationships and alliances that underpin the country’s ambition to be a middle power.
According to Krieg, only one in ten residents of the UAE are Emirati nationals, a stark reality that necessitates a different approach to building a military and staffing a civil service. In consequence, Abu Dhabi has adopted a model that relies on delegation, purchasing mercenary forces, and utilizing local interlocutors to project influence. This method, reminiscent of England’s commercial networks in the 17th century, has proven effective in advancing Abu Dhabi’s interests and expanding its strategic depth.
Krieg points out that the UAE’s network model, which began in Libya in 2014, has been applied successfully in various countries, including Yemen, Somaliland, and Sudan. Beyond militias, which act as the visible tip of the iceberg, the Emirati network encompasses a diverse array of players: commodity traders, financiers, bankers, PR companies, information networks, and even bots, all tasked with disseminating Emirati narratives and advancing Abu Dhabi’s agenda.
What sets this network apart is its resilience and complexity. “If you remove one node, it doesn’t collapse,” Krieg emphasizes, highlighting the network’s ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances. The UAE’s strategic reliance on these networks has granted Abu Dhabi influence and a degree of indispensability in key regional crises and conflicts, a feat all the more remarkable given the country’s small size.
The expert’s insights into the UAE’s network model offer a window into the intricacies of modern statecraft and the art of exercising influence without directly wielding military power. As the regional landscape continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to watch how Abu Dhabi’s networked approach to power projection unfolds, potentially reshaping the strategic dynamics of the Middle East in the process.