The reign of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who began to rule the UAE in 2014 after the death of his father, was an important stage in the path of political, economic and military empowerment of the UAE in both the regional and international levels, as this stage was undoubtedly complementary to the stage of achievements founded by the late Sheikh Zayed, God rest his soul, achieving renaissance and development at the internal level.
During the reign of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the UAE made important leaps in every field, enabling it to be a rising regional power with a growing influence in the international order.
Sheikh Khalifa, who participated in the October War of 1973, graduated from the Sheikh Zayed School, believed in the Arab cause. Therefore, Arab issues occupied a large part of the UAE’s attention, reaching its climax at a stage called the Arab Spring, when the UAE took a firm stance against any attempt to tamper with Arab national security and threw its political and economic weight behind Egypt, believing it is the cornerstone of stability of the Arab system, and tampering with Egyptian stability is to tamper with Arab national security, and the UAE has continued its role in maintaining Arab national security by joining the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia to support Yemeni legitimacy.
The UAE, during the era of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, followed the principles laid down by Sheikh Zayed, “God rest his soul”, which are based on the principles of tolerance and openness towards different peoples and cultures, enabling the UAE to establish itself as an effective and influential actor in the regional and international world order.
Developing stable and positive political, economic and popular relations in this environment is what made the United Arab Emirates a rising economic, political and military power.
During the era of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, God rest his soul, the United Arab Emirates possessed all the ingredients – political, economic and military power- necessary to play roles at all levels beyond the regional framework to international competition
It has been active in playing mediation roles and employing its soft power and diplomacy to maintain international peace and security.
Along with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE has succeeded in achieving peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea, playing the mediating role between Sudan and Ethiopia, establishing the Abrahamic Accords and participating in peacekeeping forces, to promote peace and peaceful coexistence.
In addition, the recent election of the UAE to membership in the Council Security for the period 2022-2023, represents an affirmation of its escalating role in the international world order.
