A prominent academic in the United Arab Emirates is raising serious questions about the future of America’s military presence in the region, signaling potential strain in a long-standing partnership as tensions surrounding the Iran conflict continue to mount.
Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a professor at UAE University and former adviser to Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, said Sunday that it may be “time to think about closing the American bases” in the country. His remarks come as President Donald Trump’s war with Iran continues to reshape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
In a statement summarizing comments he made to Reuters, Abdulla argued that the UAE has demonstrated its ability to defend itself during what he described as Iranian aggression. “The UAE no longer needs America to defend it,” he said, adding that the country has proven capable of protecting its own interests “with distinction.”
While Abdulla emphasized that the UAE still values access to advanced American weaponry, he suggested that hosting U.S. bases may no longer serve the nation’s strategic needs. Instead, he characterized the bases as a “burden” rather than an asset, a notable shift in tone from a country that has long relied on American military cooperation.
The comments come at a time of growing economic anxiety in the region. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, UAE officials have been in discussions with the Trump administration about a possible currency swap arrangement. The goal would be to stabilize the country’s economy if the conflict with Iran continues for an extended period.
The talks underscore mounting concerns within the UAE that the war could significantly damage its standing as a global financial hub. Officials fear that prolonged instability could drain foreign reserves and drive away investors who once viewed the nation as a safe and reliable destination for capital. The Journal reported that Emirati officials warned U.S. counterparts that a shortage of U.S. dollars could force the country to rely on alternative currencies, such as the Chinese yuan, for oil transactions and other financial activities.
Meanwhile, the war itself has brought tangible consequences. Since the outbreak of hostilities, multiple U.S. military installations in the region have been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones, highlighting the risks associated with maintaining a forward military presence in an increasingly volatile environment.
The UAE has not been spared from the fallout. Its oil facilities have sustained damage during the conflict, raising further concerns about economic stability and energy security.
In response to escalating threats, the Trump administration moved last month to push through more than $23 billion in weapons sales to Middle Eastern allies facing Iranian attacks, including the UAE. According to The New York Times, the package includes Patriot missile systems, drones, Chinook helicopters, air-to-air missiles, and advanced missile defense radar.
The developments paint a complicated picture: while the United States continues to supply critical military hardware, voices within allied nations are beginning to question whether deeper military entanglement carries costs that outweigh its benefits. As the conflict drags on, the balance between security cooperation and national independence appears to be shifting in ways that could reshape alliances for years to come.
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