BLOG | Home

Op-Eds & Commentaries

Twitter

Russia's Wagner hydra has not yet been slain

Andreas Krieg

6 days ago
5 min

Russia's Wagner hydra has not yet been slain

Despite the death of Prigozhin, the network remains active, and it could now increasingly come under Moscow's control [originally...

Abu Dhabi Secrets: How the UAE exports its smear campaign across Europe

Andreas Krieg

Jul 17
5 min

Abu Dhabi Secrets: How the UAE exports its smear campaign across Europe

What began as an attempt by Abu Dhabi to compete in the regional information environment has developed into a network-based subversion of...

Andreas Krieg

Jun 25
5 min

Qatar's decade of crisis and triumph

In a region as volatile as the Gulf, Tamim – an emir formed by crises – will have to continue to find the middle ground to maintain...

Gold, arms and mercenaries: On UAE's shadowy networks in Sudan

Andreas Krieg

May 1
4 min

Gold, arms and mercenaries: On UAE's shadowy networks in Sudan

The UAE's network-centric statecraft is part of a broader battle for influence in northern Africa [originally published with Middle East...

Pentagon leak is no surprise: UAE-Russia ties run deep

Andreas Krieg

Apr 12
4 min

Pentagon leak is no surprise: UAE-Russia ties run deep

Abu Dhabi has become the most important strategic partner for Putin's regime in the Middle East and Africa [originally published on...

Why Emirati statecraft needs Putin's networks

Andreas Krieg

Feb 24
4 min

Why Emirati statecraft needs Putin's networks

These dependencies not only tie in Russia to the Bani Fatima, but make Emirati networks ever-more attractive to other great powers [This...

UAE is ready to lead on Syria if the US tires of sanctions

Andreas Krieg

Jan 12
4 min

UAE is ready to lead on Syria if the US tires of sanctions

Abu Dhabi has long been using loopholes to foster ties with Damascus. As the US softens its stance on Assad, the UAE could be at the...

US-Saudi rift: Biden has run out of ways to make Gulf states do his bidding

Andreas Krieg

Oct 17, 2022
5 min

US-Saudi rift: Biden has run out of ways to make Gulf states do his bidding

As much as the Saudi Opec move was driven by energy price stabilisation and Russian accommodation, it was a demonstration of power...

Libya crisis: Are Qatar and Egypt crafting a deal?

Andreas Krieg

Oct 4, 2022
5 min

Libya crisis: Are Qatar and Egypt crafting a deal?

Recent meeting could mark a vital first step in aligning external patrons towards a political solution When Egyptian President Abdel...

Afghanistan: How the UAE-Haqqani link trumped Qatar’s Taliban relationship

Andreas Krieg

Aug 29, 2022
4 min

Afghanistan: How the UAE-Haqqani link trumped Qatar’s Taliban relationship

Abu Dhabi emerged as another broker in Afghanistan to rival Qatar’s influence, as part of a grand strategy to become a key player in...

US needs to credibly link energy with geo-politics in Gulf

Andreas Krieg

Jul 12, 2022
4 min

US needs to credibly link energy with geo-politics in Gulf

Washington must not cater blindly to the argument of authoritarian stability – this narrative is already sold much more convincingly by...

Biden Middle East visit: Why an Israel-led security pact is a paper tiger

Andreas Krieg

Jun 16, 2022
4 min

Biden Middle East visit: Why an Israel-led security pact is a paper tiger

Without trust and a shared security vision, any 'alliance' in the region will be ineffective [originally published with Middle East Eye]...

The UAE's New Leader Is Turning the Tiny Kingdom Into a Major Power Player

Andreas Krieg

Jun 3, 2022
5 min

The UAE's New Leader Is Turning the Tiny Kingdom Into a Major Power Player

This article appeared originally in TIME Magazine. President Biden sent more than condolences when the nominal leader of the United Arab...

Why the UAE Wants to Be Club Med for the World's Kleptocrats

Andreas Krieg

May 13, 2022
5 min

Why the UAE Wants to Be Club Med for the World's Kleptocrats

Attracting dirty foreign capital is not just a money-making scheme for the UAE. It has become an integral part of its policy aims to...

The Russia-Ukraine war and the crisis of liberalism

Andreas Krieg

Apr 22, 2022
4 min

The Russia-Ukraine war and the crisis of liberalism

As long as crimes against Uyghurs, Palestinians, or Yemenis go unchallenged, western support for Ukrainians resisting Russian aggression...

How does Qatar use its military power as a means to build influence?

Andreas Krieg

Mar 20, 2022
3 min

How does Qatar use its military power as a means to build influence?

Despite Qatar trying to maintain its position as a neutral player, its use of military lever for alliance building has been firmly...

With Friends like This: The UAE emerges as key enabler of Putin’s Russia

Andreas Krieg

Mar 18, 2022
5 min

With Friends like This: The UAE emerges as key enabler of Putin’s Russia

Andreas Krieg & Matthew Hedges A picture says more than a thousand words: UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed laughing with his...

Ukraine conflict: Could Qatar's gas bail out Europe?

Andreas Krieg

Jan 27, 2022
4 min

Ukraine conflict: Could Qatar's gas bail out Europe?

With Europe now in the midst of an energy crisis, it is high time to diversify the continent's energy strategy [This article originally...

Saudi-Qatar reconciliation, from a divisive canal to a railroad connection

Andreas Krieg

Jan 12, 2022
4 min

Saudi-Qatar reconciliation, from a divisive canal to a railroad connection

The post-Al Ula Gulf is still characterized by mistrust and suspicion, but what role will joint infrastructure and investment projects...

The limits of the UAE’s neo-mercantilism

Andreas Krieg

Dec 17, 2021
5 min

The limits of the UAE’s neo-mercantilism

Since August, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been on a comprehensive regional tour that has involved Abu Dhabi reconciling with...