Top American economist Jeffrey Sachs warns the UAE that involvement in the conflict may endanger Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Renowned US economist Jeffrey Sachs has warned the United Arab Emirates against getting involved in the war, highlighting the immediate danger facing Dubai and Abu Dhabi—cities designed as tourist destinations rather than fortified military zones.
Speaking to ANI, Sachs stated that the UAE has plunged itself into an “absurd mess” and is “doubling down” on its errors regarding its relationship with the US and Israel.
He remarked, “In reality, if the UAE gets involved in the war, Dubai and Abu Dhabi could be blown up. These are resort areas. These are tourist destinations. These are not missile defense zones. These are places where wealthy people go to party and invest their money. And entering a war zone defeats the entire purpose of a place like Dubai. The Emirates have walked into a strange predicament with their eyes wide open. And incidentally, they keep doing it even more.”
Sachs characterized the Gulf nations’ decision to partner with the US through the Abraham Accords as “inviting disaster,” arguing that it rendered them increasingly dependent on American security—a dependency that ultimately evolved into what former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger termed a “fatal friendship.”
He stated, “Joining the so-called Abraham Accords—essentially aligning with Israel and the United States amidst such volatile political circumstances—was an invitation to trouble for the Emirates. However, the crux of the matter is that these Gulf governments have staked everything on American protection. That is their fundamental gamble. They reasoned, ‘We host US military facilities; they will defend us.’ Therefore, we can act as we see fit. We can strike whatever deals we deem appropriate. And we need not worry. “This constitutes a fundamental miscalculation.”
He said, “I repeat Kissinger’s famous adage every day—and I will repeat it once again right now—that it is dangerous to be an enemy of the United States, but it is fatal to be its friend.”
Sachs advised the UAE “not to double down on a losing bet” and to understand the situation in order to prioritize its own security.
He stated, “I do not wish to be misunderstood, but to announce yesterday that we are going to join this effort against the ‘bad Iranians’—and that we will continue to fulfill our commitment to pour trillions of dollars into the United States—was sheer folly. Come on. Enough is enough. Protect yourselves. Understand the situation. You seem to think that doubling down on a losing proposition is the right approach at this moment, yet that is precisely what they are doing.”
This assessment aligns with the escalating rhetoric emanating from Tehran. On March 20, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal warning to West Asian nations, demanding that they prevent the United States from utilizing local military bases to launch attacks against Iran.
On March 20, Iran called upon West Asian nations to bar the United States from utilizing military bases situated within their territories. Iran asserted that these bases constitute the “root cause” of the current crisis and are being employed to conduct operations against Tehran. The government warned that such actions would be construed as complicity in an act of aggression.
A post on X by the Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran read: “The Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that nations in the region must take immediate action to prevent the United States and the Zionist regime from continuing to utilize their territories and facilities to launch military attacks against Iran.”
The spokesperson further warned that if these locations were utilized in attacks against Iran, the nations hosting U.S. military bases could face severe repercussions.
Gulf nations have condemned Iran’s attacks on their energy infrastructure, signaling increased support for the United States in this conflict.