Abu Dhabi’s Ascent: The UAE’s Global Strategy
Virtual, Members-only Briefing
Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:15 PM ET
The United Arab Emirates’ recent decision to leave OPEC after nearly six decades is about far more than oil—it is the latest sign of a growing rift with Saudi Arabia and a marker of Abu Dhabi’s willingness to challenge a regional order long dominated by Riyadh. From normalizing relations with Israel to pursuing strategic autonomy between the United States and China, the UAE has repeatedly shown that it is prepared to break with old frameworks when they no longer serve its ambitions. In just over 50 years, the federation has transformed itself from a small Gulf state into a global financial, logistics, and diplomatic hub with influence that far exceeds its size.
How did the UAE achieve this remarkable rise, and what is Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s long-term vision for the country’s future? What is driving Abu Dhabi’s expanding global influence, and how is it balancing relationships with Washington, Beijing, Riyadh, and its regional neighbors? And can its model of economic diversification, technological innovation, and assertive diplomacy sustain its ambitions, or will geopolitical rivalries and domestic constraints complicate its ascent?
Join us for a virtual, members-only discussion on Thursday, August 13 from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM ET with Dr. Neil Quilliam, Associate Fellow with Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, for a conversation on the UAE’s rise as a regional and global power and what it means for the future of the Middle East.
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SPEAKER:
Dr. Neil Quilliam
Dr. Neil Quilliam is an energy policy, geopolitics and foreign affairs specialist, with extensive knowledge and experience of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
He is partner at Azure Strategy Consulting. Previously, Neil headed the Chatham House MENA programme’s Future Dynamics in the Gulf project, was project director of the Syria and Its Neighbours policy initiative and acting programme head.
He also served as senior MENA energy adviser at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), senior MENA analyst at Control Risks, London, and senior programme officer at the United Nations University, Amman.
THIS SESSION IS FREE FOR NETWORK 20/20’s MEMBERS
NOT YET A NETWORK 20/20 MEMBER?
Apply today to enjoy all exclusive briefings with high-profile speakers
Image Credit: Viktor Hanacek / picjumbo
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