IRIA News

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UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Washington on his first trip to the U.S. focused on deepening diplomatic relations. The meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden was held at the White House on September 24, 2024, as the two leaders discussed strengthening the already deep military and economic ties.

This visit comes at a time of mounting tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerning the conflict in Gaza and the war in Sudan. The visit also underscores the importance of the UAE in both regional stability and international diplomacy, as the UAE is a key player in multiple geopolitical arenas, including efforts towards peace and security in the region.

During the discussions, Biden emphasized the UAE’s role as a “major defense partner,” a designation that deepens military collaboration. “My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and we’re working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return to their home safely,” Biden remarked to reporters in the Oval Office.

The designation also enhances cooperation in joint military exercises and security operations, particularly in regions such as East Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East. It is only the second time the U.S. has extended this level of partnership, with India being the first in 2021.

Friction over Sudan

UAE has been accused of supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, which are currently embroiled in a brutal civil war with the Sudanese army. The war, which began in April 2023, has caused widespread displacement, with over 10.7 million people displaced internally and another 2.3 million fleeing the country, according to the United Nations.

Despite these accusations, Biden and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed discussed the Sudanese conflict during their meeting. According to the White House, both leaders “stressed that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Sudan” and emphasized the importance of compliance with international humanitarian law by all parties involved.

A similar message was conveyed in a separate meeting between U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, with Harris expressing “alarm at the millions of individuals who have been displaced by the war and the atrocities committed by the belligerents against the civilian population.”

“She underscored the critical importance of getting the warring parties to the table, ending the conflict, and allowing unfettered humanitarian access,” the White House said in a statement following Harris’s meeting with the UAE president.

Tensions in Gaza

Another key focus of the discussions between Biden and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was the ongoing violence in Gaza, where more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed amid an Israeli offensive that has been underway for nearly a year.

The two leaders “underscored their commitment to continue working together towards ending the conflict” and agreed on the need to allow UN humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The UAE has played a leading role at the United Nations, often putting forward resolutions condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. This has occasionally put the Gulf nation at odds with the U.S., which has been criticized for not using its leverage, including billions in military aid to Israel, to de-escalate the violence.

Despite these differences, Washington views the UAE as integral to any post-war recovery plans for Gaza. Both leaders discussed a potential “path to stabilization and recovery that responds to the humanitarian crisis, establishes law and order, and lays the groundwork for responsible governance,” as well as their “commitment to the two-state solution” for Israel and Palestine.

Rising violence in Lebanon

As these discussions were taking place, Israel was also intensifying its attacks on Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure. At least 558 people, including 35 children, were killed in Israeli strikes on Monday. Both Biden and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed concern over the broader escalation of violence in the region and the potential for the conflict to spread.

Vice President Harris raised similar concerns, stressing the importance of “preventing the conflict from escalating” and the need for a diplomatic solution. She also highlighted the humanitarian crisis caused by the war, particularly in Gaza, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and ensure the continued flow of life-saving aid into the region.

Today I spoke with President Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates about carrying our nations’ relationship forward – including the UAE becoming a major defense partner of the United States. pic.twitter.com/b9Dv4cdg3D

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 23, 2024

Broader strategic interests

Beyond the immediate conflicts in Sudan, Gaza, and Lebanon, the partnership between the U.S. and the UAE also touches on broader strategic interests, including advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. During her meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Harris praised the UAE’s leadership in these fields and discussed the potential for both countries to collaborate further on issues such as diversifying supply chains and strategic investments.

The defense partnership, according to the White House, remains “critical” to both nations’ security and regional stability, as the UAE continues to position itself as a key player in both military and technological spheres in the Middle East and beyond.

The deepening of military ties between the U.S. and the UAE has underscored the Arab nation’s importance in the region, even as both nations navigate complex and often conflicting interests in the region. While tensions persist, particularly regarding Sudan and Gaza, the partnership is seen as essential for addressing the broader security challenges in the Middle East.