The next US administration needs to improve relations with its Middle East allies, a top Republican has urged.
Paul Ryan said US President Donald Trump or his Democratic rival should focus on political, security and trade alliances with the UAE and other states.
The former presidential hopeful also predicted further "decoupling" from China by the US, particularly over technology, and more economic conflict.
“In a second Trump term, there will be a redoubling effort to build out our Middle East strategic alliance," he told an audience at the annual Milken Institute summit in Abu Dhabi.
"This means we need more trade agreements – UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. I’d ultimately like to see a GCC-wide trade agreement.”
The US has existing trade deals with Bahrain and Oman.
Mr Trump has repeatedly talked of the need to disengage from Middle East conflicts and pursued isolationist policies, but he has been active in containing Iran and bolstered US forces amid regional tensions.
Mr Ryan, who has clashed with Mr Trump and borne the brunt of late-night Twitter tirades from the president, appeared to strike a conciliatory note when asked about a second term.
“What if we go from a Trump administration to, God forbid, a Bernie Sanders administration?," he asked.
Mr Ryan, who stepped back from politics and now serves on the board of Fox News, said the next administration must support its Middle East allies in tackling extremism and in trade, peace and prosperity.
"We have to maximise and institutionalise our relationships," he said.
Mr Ryan also spoke of the state of the American dream.
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Milken Summit 2020 - in pictures
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Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, right, chief executive of Mubadala Investment Company, speak during the 2020 Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit at St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi. EPA -
Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, right, chief executive of Mubadala Investment Company, speak during the 2020 Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit at St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi. EPA -
Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, right, chief executive of Mubadala Investment Company, speak during the 2020 Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit at St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi. EPA -
John Defterios, left, Emerging Markets Editor and Anchor of CNN, and Waleed Al Muhairi, right, Deputy Group CEO & Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Investment Company. in conversation. EPA -
Attendees at the 2020 Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. EPA -
From left to right, John Defterios, Waleed Al Muhairi, Raymond Dalio, Chairman and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Bridgewater Associates, Dina Powell, Goldman Sachs partner and former advisor to the Trump administration, and Adam Boehler, chief executive of US International Development Finance Corporation. EPA -
Goldman Sachs partner and former advisor to the Trump administration, Dina Powell, right, speaks during the 2020 Milken Summit. EPA -
Raymond Dalio, co-chairman and co-chief investment officer of investment firm Bridgewater Associates. EPA -
Michael Klowden, chief executive of the Milken Institute, delivers his speech. EPA
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Children in America today are often not better off than their parents.
"This is a challenge we have to confront," Mr Ryan said.
He said that despite low unemployment, there was a need to “ease the polarisation” of society.
"Political success is measured on provocation and entertainment, both by the Republican and Democratic party," Mr Ryan said.
"You overcome this by making inclusive politics, emphasise the best in people, not the worst in people.
"People need to choose to embrace this and we have a long way to go to get there.
"It's not the worst time to be out of Congress," he joked.
