Two events this week in two different cities show the importance of unity at this particular time. Yesterday morning in Abu Dhabi, leaders and citizens from across the UAE gathered to mark the 39th anniversary of the unification of the Armed Forces. In Riyadh the day before, leaders of the GCC gathered to discuss regional stability and Iran.
At this particular moment, the Gulf is unique in the region and farther afield in being an island of stability when much of the Middle East is beset by problems: some, such as economic uncertainty in Egypt, have been built slowly; others, like the occupation of Palestine, have been created over decades. But many, such as the collapse of Syria and Iraq as functioning states and the attempted Houthi takeover of Yemen, happened with astonishing swiftness.
For that reason, the importance of maintaining a strong military in the UAE and strong unity within the GCC cannot be overstated. When the president, Sheikh Khalifa, said on Tuesday that the country needed strong defence forces to maintain peace, he was stating what has become a guiding principle for the UAE. The reason for the impressive military that the country has built in four decades is not to threaten anyone, but to make sure that the country, its neighbours and its interests are not themselves threatened.
What a contrast that is to Iran, which was the primary focus of discussion for GCC leaders in Riyadh on Tuesday. The hand of Iran can be detected in conflicts north and south of the GCC: in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. But how differently has the military might of Iran been used. Instead of keeping Iranians safe, it has made them more insecure, beset by sanctions and suspected by their neighbours. Even in the Arab world, where Iran has sought influence among Shia Muslims, Iran’s meddling has not made the lot of these Arabs better.
In Iraq, it brought war to both Sunni and Shia communities; in Yemen, it has turned the Sunnis against not only the Houthis but even the wider Zaydi Shia community. In Syria, Iran’s support for Bashar Al Assad has set his minority Alawite sect against the majority Sunnis.
The UAE has used its military power to try and bring peace to these countries. While maintaining prosperity at home, it is also important to promote and maintain stability abroad.
