Across Africa and the Middle East, a common thread weaves through disparate conflicts: the presence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). From the rubble of Sudanese cities to the frontlines of Libya and the shadow wars of Yemen, this small desert federation—with a citizen population smaller than the attendance of a Lakers game—has built an aggressive foreign policy machine capable of reshaping entire regions.
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The Three Foundations of Emirati Strategy
The UAE’s global interventions are not random; they are driven by three existential goals defined by the country’s de facto ruler for two decades, Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ):
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Regime Survival: Protecting the monarchy from internal and external threats.
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Regional Dominance: Shaping the political landscape of the Middle East and Africa to suit Emirati interests.
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Economic Relevance: Transitioning to a post-oil economy through the control of global trade routes and resources.
For MBZ, the 2011 Arab Spring was a nightmare. The sight of long-standing dictators toppled by popular uprisings and the subsequent election of Islamist parties, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, represented a “looming danger.” To the UAE leadership, if mass protests could topple a ruler in Egypt, no monarchy was safe. The solution became the UAE’s governing doctrine: Fight democracy abroad to protect authoritarian stability at home.
The Blueprint: Egypt and Bahrain
The first testing grounds for this doctrine were Bahrain and Egypt. In 2011, Emirati troops joined Saudi forces to crush pro-democracy demonstrations in Bahrain, signaling that the Gulf would not tolerate political reform.
In Egypt, the UAE viewed the election of Mohamed Morsi as a catastrophe. Within a year, Abu Dhabi bankrolled the anti-Brotherhood movement and supported the 2013 military coup that brought Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to power. Billions of dollars in rewards flowed into Cairo, establishing a template the UAE would use across the continent: back military strongmen, crush democratic openings, and eliminate Islamist groups.
The Architecture of Power: The “Bani Fatima”
While the UAE presents as a modern state with ministries, its foreign policy is actually controlled by a tiny royal circle known as the Bani Fatima—MBZ and his five full brothers.
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MBZ: Sets strategy and commands the military.
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Tahnoun bin Zayed: National Security Advisor; oversees intelligence, “black ops,” and a trillion-dollar business portfolio.
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Mansour bin Zayed: Vice President; controls sovereign wealth funds and global investments.
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Abdullah bin Zayed: Manages formal diplomacy.
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This small group makes rapid, high-stakes decisions with almost no oversight, allowing the UAE to intervene in conflicts with a speed that larger nations cannot match.
The African Front: Gold, Ports, and Farmland
In Africa, the UAE’s strategy is built on three pillars:
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Gold: Dubai has become the primary destination for Sudanese gold. Up to 90% of Sudan’s production—much of it smuggled—ends up in the UAE, providing a financial lifeline for warlords like those in the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
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Ports: The UAE operates strategic gateways across the continent, from Berbera in Somaliland to Luanda in Angola. These are not just commercial hubs; they are military and logistical assets.
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Farmland: With little arable land of its own, the UAE has secured massive agricultural deals in Sudan and Ethiopia to guarantee its future food security.
A New Way of War: Drones and Mercenaries
Because its citizen population is too small to field a massive army, the UAE has pioneered a model of “distanced warfare.”
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Mercenaries: Utilizing contractors like Eric Prince (founder of Blackwater), the UAE has built a private army. Sudanese recruits, often thinking they were signing up for security jobs, have been shipped to frontlines in Libya and Yemen.
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Drones: Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones allow the UAE to strike targets in Libya and Sudan without risking Emirati lives or leaving a traditional military footprint.
In Libya, the UAE backed General Khalifa Haftar with thousands of tons of weapons, attempting to seize Tripoli. While Turkey’s intervention eventually stalled Haftar’s advance, the UAE simply shifted its focus toward the next strongman: Hemedti and the RSF in Sudan.
The Human Cost of the Shadow Empire
The result of these interventions has been catastrophic. In Sudan, the UAE-backed RSF has been accused of “Rwanda-level” extermination in Darfur. Satellite imagery has captured mass killings and bodies lining the streets, while 12 million people remain displaced.
Despite these actions, the UAE maintains a polished global brand. It uses Manchester City, the Abrahamic Family House, and high-level lobbying in Washington to project an image of “tolerance and innovation.” This “soft power” provides the diplomatic cover needed to continue its “hard power” interventions.
Ultimately, the UAE seeks to build an empire of influence without calling it one. As conflicts continue to burn from Tripoli to Khartoum, the world is left to wonder when, or if, this shadow empire will ever be held accountable.