Defying Small-State Orthodoxy: The UAE’s Outlier Trajectory toward Middle-Power Status
Abstract
The political landscape of the Middle East underwent a reconfiguration in the 2010s, as traditional centers of regional influence, such as Egypt, Iraq, and Syria, weakened, and new actors in the Gulf region, characterized by domestic stability, economic dynamism, and an increasingly assertive foreign policy posture, began to emerge. Among these emerging players, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out as a remarkable and significant example.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts
Socioeconomic Development in MENA
Globalization and political ideologies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Insight Turkey
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- Fall 2025
- Publication date
- 9 January 2026