(Image source from: AP)
Top American economist Jeffrey Sachs has warned the United Arab Emirates about the risks of entering the conflict, stressing the immediate threat to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which are meant for tourists rather than military use. In an interview with ANI, Sachs claimed the UAE has found itself in a foolish situation and keeps making things worse with its support of the US and Israel. "In simple terms, Dubai and Abu Dhabi could be in great danger if the UAE goes to war. These are vacation spots. These are places for tourists. They are not areas equipped for missile defense. They are destinations for wealthy individuals to enjoy and spend their money. To get involved in a war zone would defeat the whole purpose of places like Dubai. The Emirates has gotten into a ridiculous situation willingly, and it keeps making the same mistakes," he stated. Sachs believes that Gulf countries forming ties with the US through the Abraham Accords is a "recipe for trouble," as it makes them rely more on American defense, ultimately creating what former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger called a "dangerous friendship. "
"By agreeing to the Abraham Accords and aligning with Israel and the US in such difficult political times, the Emirates set themselves up for problems. The key issue is that these Gulf governments have placed all their faith in US protection. That is their main belief. They thought having US military bases would keep them safe, so they could act freely and make deals without worry. This is a major error in judgment," he explained. "I often repeat Kissinger's well-known saying, and I will say it again now: being an enemy of the United States is risky, but being a friend can lead to disaster," he added. Sachs urged the UAE not to "continue investing in a bad decision" and to recognize the need to focus on its safety. "I want to clarify that I don't wish to be misunderstood, but it seems naive to announce that we're going to support this action against Iran and keep our promise to invest trillions in the US. Enough is enough. Take care of yourself. Understand what is happening. Do you really believe that sticking with a bad decision is the best course of action right now? But that's exactly what they are doing," he said.
This evaluation corresponds with the escalating statements coming from Tehran. On March 20, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave an official notice to West Asian countries, insisting they stop the U. S. from utilizing local military bases for assaults on Iran. Iran, on the same date, urged nations in West Asia to stop the United States from operating military bases in their lands. According to Iran, these bases are the "main reason" for the ongoing crisis and are being utilized for actions against Tehran. The government has alerted that such activities would be seen as joining in on the aggression. "Foreign Ministry Spokesman Highlights the Immediate Need for Regional Nations to Step Up to Stop America and the Zionist Regime from Using Their Land and Facilities for Military Attacks on Iran," read a post from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran on X.
The spokesperson also cautioned that countries that host U. S. military bases could experience repercussions if those locations were involved in attacks on Iran. Gulf nations have denounced Iran's strikes on their energy systems, indicating a stronger alignment with the United States in this conflict.
