United States Vice President Kamala Harris visited the United Arab Emirates while leading a high-powered American delegation to pay respects after the death of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the appointment of the country's new president, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The trip has become the highest-level visit by Biden administration officials to oil-rich Abu Dhabi, which is seen as a potent show of support. The situation comes as the U.S. attempts to repair troubled relations with its partner amid the fast-changing geopolitical landscape precipitated by Russia's war on Ukraine.
US Delegation to the UAE
The UAE's powerful national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, greeted the American vice president on the windswept tarmac. The American delegation included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director William Burns, and climate envoy John Kerry, among others.
Following the death of the country's president, the UAE named the assertive Abu Dhabi crown prince as its new leader last Friday. Sheikh Mohamed has previously served as the region's de facto ruler and shaped the muscular foreign policy since Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke nearly a decade ago, as per the Associated Press.
Under Mohamed's de facto rule, the UAE has intervened in various regional conflicts from Yemen to Libya. The nation has also used its vast oil wealth to exert sway internationally and transformed into a regional financial hub.
Khalifa died at the age of 73 years after his modernization policies helped transform his country into a regional powerhouse. Vice President Harris reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to the "security and prosperity in this region." Furthermore, she spoke of how the American people have greatly benefited from the countries' relationship.
According to CNN, the White House said that the trip to the UAE would also include U.S. Embassy AbuDhabi Charge d'Affaires Sean Murphy, Harris' national security adviser Phil Gordon, National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, and NSC senior director for the Middle East and North Africa Barba Leaf.
Death of the UAE President
Washington's desire to improve relations with Gulf monarchies has become even more important due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The situation highlighted the relevance of Gulf oil producers as Europe is struggling to cut its energy independence from Russia.
So far, Gulf states have refused to take sides in the Ukraine conflict as OPEC heavyweights Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also resisted calls to hike output to tame crude prices in other nations. Several world leaders have already visited Abu Dhabi to pay their respects to the late president.
On Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman traveled to the UAE to offer his condolences. UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed told Blinken over a business dinner on Monday that his country was looking forward to strengthening strategic relations with the U.S.
Harris spent roughly three hours in the Emirati capital where she planned to emphasize the U.S.'s intent to deepen ties across areas ranging from security and climate to space, energy, and commerce, Reuters reported.
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