Could the UAE Become One of the World’s Most Influential Small Countries?
Traditionally, the global system has been characterized by established rules for determining influence, such as a large population, a huge landmass, and a long history of military or political might.
However, the UAE challenges all these traditional assumptions about influence.
While the UAE is relatively small in size, it has created itself into a leading actor in a variety of fields, such as international trade, international diplomacy, renewable energy initiatives, and international logistics.
Part of the UAE’s wide-ranging influence is a result of its strategic geographic position as a natural bridge between the world’s major economic regions and their diverse markets and cultures.
However, the UAE’s geographic position is only one explanation of how the UAE is able to increase its influence on the world stage.
Other factors that contribute to the expansion of the UAE’s influence include extensive strategic planning, significant efforts at economic diversification, and an extraordinary commitment to investing in future industries.
Whether or not the UAE can continue its current trajectory as a significant influencer in the world remains to be seen.
However, the mere possibility of this raises an interesting question: in today’s world, do all forms of influence have more to do with a vision for a better future than they do with geographic scale?
