United Arab Emirates

US House votes to block sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia

The House voted Wednesday to undo President Trump’s attempt to sidestep Congress and complete several arms sales benefiting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Hamza Yusuf may be the token Muslim Trump’s administration needs

Can the esteemed scholar be trusted to speak truth to power, and should the public intellectual be held accountable to a higher standard?

UAE reducing troops in Yemen in 'peace-first strategy'

"It's very much to do with moving from what I would call a military-first strategy to a peace-first strategy," according to one UAE official. Diplomats said Abu Dhabi preferred to have its forces on hand should US-Iran tensions escalate further.

Former UAE prisoner sheds light on Ahmed Mansoor's detention conditions

Detainee tells human rights organisation that Mansoor is held in solitary confinement and spends most of his time in the darkness.

US says Iran took mine off tanker; Iran denies involvement

The owner of Kokuka Courageous said its sailors saw "flying objects" before the attack. Blaming Iran for the incident, US military says video it released shows Revolutionary Guards removing an unexploded limpet mine from the vessel.

US believes Iran behind attacks on Oman Gulf tankers

Two oil tankers were targeted in the Gulf of Oman. The Japanese foreign ministry says the vessels were carrying "Japan-related" cargo. All crew members were safely rescued.

UAE political prisoners detained indefinitely after release date

Rights group says at least nine activists due to be freed have instead been moved to a ‘counselling’ facility in a UAE prison.

UAE probe of tanker attacks points to 'state actor'

Initial findings of an investigation led by the United Arab Emirates of May 12 attacks on oil tankers point to the likelihood that a state was behind the bombings, the UAE says.

Understanding Mohammed Bin Zayed’s war on opposition groups

The crown prince and de facto ruler of Abu Dhabi has committed the UAE to an aggressive foreign and domestic policy that is intolerant of opposition groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood.

US-UAE defence agreement comes into force, following Bolton visit

US President Donald Trump bypassed Congress to sell $8.1 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia and other allies, citing the threat from Iran, followed closely by a significant defence agreement with the UAE set to have a far-reaching impact.

FIFA keeps 32 teams for 2022 World Cup, scrapping expansion

A meeting of the FIFA Council in March authorised FIFA President Gianni Infantino to work with Qatar on seeing if it was feasible to use at least one more country in the region to accommodate an additional 16 matches and present a proposal in June.

Recent accident in Persian Gulf is tip of iceberg amid soaring tensions

The US’s most recent sanctions on Iranian oil exports have created a backlash, among them the latest incident to take place in contentious waters.