US partners in Middle East avoid taking sides against China
Also: cryptocurrency takes spotlight in Abu Dhabi and Gargash outlines UAE approach to foreign policy.
UAE has “no interest in choosing sides between great powers”
ABU DHABI — Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to UAE President Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said this week that while “the UAE has no interest in choosing sides between great powers, our primary strategic relationship remains unequivocally with the United States.”
Speaking at the ninth annual Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate organized by the Emirates Policy Center, Gargash said that UAE foreign policy seeks “zero problems” with the region and has staked out a unique space as a conduit and facilitator of diplomacy between East and West.
“As a medium-sized power, we also need to be pragmatic,” said Gargash, and “we sometimes need to engage with people we find distasteful,” adding that the UAE will choose “quiet diplomacy instead of outspoken criticism” in its conduct of foreign policy. See Salim Essaid's report on the topic.
