AI is bringing the UAE closer to the US's sphere of influence, as the Emirates breaks deeper with Gulf neighbours over Gaza

The unprecedented amount of capital the UAE is spending on American AI and technology gives them huge sway over the Trump administration, US and Arab officials have told MEE.

What was absent from the UAE officials’ visit were public discussions or statements about Israel’s war on Gaza, which re-erupted on Tuesday when Israel began bombing the enclave.

The UAE’s priorities underscore how far it has drifted away from its wealthy Gulf neighbours.

Whereas Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has publicly accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, the UAE has continued to engage with Israel.

Behind the scenes, the UAE has broken with fellow Arab states lobbying the Trump administration against a plan drafted by Egypt and endorsed by the Arab League for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, MEE revealed.

The UAE’s foreign minister hosted his Israeli counterpart in the UAE in January before a brief ceasefire was reached in Gaza. The two countries normalised ties in 2020 under Trump’s Abraham Accords.