Why do uae and saudi arabia hate each other

Overview

The relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia has evolved from close alliance to strategic competition over the past decade. Historically, both monarchies cooperated closely as founding members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 1981, sharing security concerns about Iran and Islamist movements. However, tensions emerged visibly in 2017 when Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, imposed a blockade on Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and aligning with Iran. While the UAE initially supported this move, it soon adopted a more pragmatic approach, resisting Saudi pressure to maintain the isolation of Qatar. The divergence became more pronounced during the Yemen conflict, where both countries led a coalition against Houthi rebels since 2015 but pursued different military and political strategies. By 2021, economic competition intensified as both nations implemented ambitious diversification plans—Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UAE's various economic initiatives—creating friction over investment, trade, and regional influence.

How It Works

The tensions operate through several interconnected mechanisms. First, geopolitical divergence occurs as the UAE pursues a more independent foreign policy, exemplified by its 2020 normalization with Israel through the Abraham Accords, while Saudi Arabia has moved more cautiously. Second, economic competition manifests through rival megaprojects like Saudi Arabia's NEOM city and the UAE's expansion of Dubai and Abu Dhabi as global hubs, leading to disputes over foreign investment and market share. Third, energy policy differences emerged in 2020 when the UAE opposed extending OPEC+ production cuts favored by Saudi Arabia, briefly threatening the alliance. Fourth, military cooperation has been strained by differing priorities in Yemen and the Horn of Africa, where both countries support competing factions. Finally, leadership styles contribute, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's centralized approach contrasting with the UAE's more distributed decision-making among its seven emirates, particularly Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.

Why It Matters

These tensions matter significantly for regional stability and global economics. The GCC, representing a $1.6 trillion economy, faces fragmentation risks that could weaken collective security against common threats like Iran. For global energy markets, disagreements between the world's second (Saudi Arabia) and seventh (UAE) largest oil producers could destabilize OPEC+ agreements that influence global prices. The competition affects foreign policy calculations for major powers, including the United States, which maintains security partnerships with both countries. Regionally, it impacts conflicts in Yemen, Libya, and Sudan where both nations support different factions. Economically, the rivalry drives both countries' diversification efforts, potentially accelerating Middle Eastern economic transformation but also creating duplication and inefficiency. The relationship's trajectory will significantly influence Middle Eastern geopolitics, Arab-Israeli relations, and global energy security through the 2020s.