Anwar Gargash: Caught in the Middle of the Iran War | Foreign Affairs Interview

The Middle East currently faces a "no war, no peace" stalemate that threatens long-term regional stability, necessitating a shift toward substantive, multi-level diplomacy. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, argues that the current conflict, exacerbated by Iran's leadership transition following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, requires a move beyond transactional fixes toward a permanent regional order. The UAE emphasizes building national defense capabilities and maintaining strategic autonomy while navigating complex relationships with the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Despite regional tensions and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the UAE remains committed to a geoeconomic model that prioritizes trade, technology, and regional integration. Ultimately, the region must move away from zero-sum confrontations toward a framework that upholds international law and fosters economic cooperation to ensure lasting security and prosperity.