The United Arab Emirates is a close partner for the United States in the Middle East. It is usually seen as a stabilizing force, especially against terrorism and Iran, and it has many friends in Washington think tanks. Yet this benignant reading of the Emirati role glosses over the darker side of its power: interventions and proxy forces in places like Yemen and Libya; alignment with coups in Egypt, Tunisia, and Sudan; espionage; and apparent attempts to interfere in U.S. politics. Join us as we here from Jon Hoffman on his case that it's time to cease providing a "blank check" to the UAE. (Full article here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/11/03/us-uae-relationship-arms-sales-human-rights-biden/)

Jonathan Hoffman is a political science Ph.D. candidate at George Mason University (GMU) focusing on Middle East politics. He received an M.A. in Middle East and Islamic Studies and a B.A. in Global Affairs, both from GMU. Jonathan has been published in various academic and policy-oriented platforms, including Middle East Policy, Digest of Middle East Studies, Foreign Policy, and more.

Upcoming Events

· Andrew Bacevich on Why American Foreign Policy Keeps Failing. Weds 2/2, 7pm ET. With Columbia Political Union/Columbia University JQAS. https://standtogether.zoom.us/webinar/register/2716426270344/WN_jaQf0cz6T1edPU6GUIe0NQ

· Is U.S. Deterrence in Asia Failing? (w/ Ben Friedman of Defense Priorities) Weds 2/9, 7pm ET. With The King’s College JQAS. https://standtogether.zoom.us/webinar/register/3316414182081/WN_bNsnONEmTEmoCPyO9a-7Ww