While today the military of the United Arab Emirates is described admiringly as a 'little Sparta', just 60 years ago the only security forces in the Emirates were the armed retainers of the Ruling Sheikhs and a small British-led, locally-raised Arab force. Through a combination of direct oversight by rulers, investment in its nationals, engagement of expatriates and the purchase of cutting edge military hardware, the UAE Armed Forces has become, arguably, the most capable Arab military. In the last decade, it has also gained considerable experience through its military operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. This book traces the little-known history of the country’s military from 1951 to 2020. It provides unparalleled detail on the constituent forces that evolved into the UAE Armed Forces in 1976, and how that unified force has evolved to the present. It provides essential background information on how the country’s geography, demographics and political system have shaped its military, the enduring roles of the military and the history of each military service. It also details the political and command structure governing the military, and its manpower and materiel characteristics. The book concludes with an explanation of how the UAE has been able to develop such a highly capable military for its size in a relatively short period of time.

While today the military of the United Arab Emirates is described admiringly as a 'little Sparta', just 60 years ago the only security forces in the Emirates were the armed retainers of the Ruling Sheikhs and a small British-led, locally-raised Arab force. Using a combination of investment in its nationals, engagement of expatriates and the purchase of cutting edge military hardware, the UAE Armed Forces has become the Arab region's most capable military. In the last decade, it has also gained considered experience through its military operations which have been undertaken in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. This book traces the little-known and fascinating history of the country's Armed Forces. It provides unparalleled detail on the constituent forces that evolved into the UAE Armed Forces in 1976, and how the unified force has grown since then. It provides essential background information on the country, the enduring roles of the military and the history of each military service, plus details on the political and command structure governing the military, and its manpower and materiel characteristics. The book concludes with profiles of the military sheikhs who have and continue to be central to the development of this growing regional powerhouse.

The rapid rise of the UAE Armed Forces is an incredible success story, in which a modern military was built in just fifteen years. In this paper, Athol Yates, Professor at Khalifa University and specialist in civil security, charts this outstanding ascent, tracing the roots of the UAE Armed Forces, its development and the key factors in its formation. Identifying the main reasons for its rapid advance, the paper outlines the insightful plans and policies that were put in place; driven by the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God rest his soul in peace). Sheikh Zayed’s vision of a strong and unified UAE military was, for him, crucial to the enduring success of the Union. His steadfast approach saw him allocate substantial spending to defense early on. He also prioritized the development of human capital as crucial to establishing strong and effective armed forces. Sheikh Zayed personally oversaw each stage of the military’s establishment and development, which the author tells us was one of the most important factors in its advancement. Despite the challenges he faced, Sheikh Zayed was able to lay strong foundations for a modern military, in a model that has since been emulated by the UAE leadership today. Through historical analysis and a wealth of research, this paper outlines the rapid and impressive rise of the UAE Armed Forces, highlighting one of the nation’s major achievements.

This comprehensive guide offers a detailed overview of the armed forces in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE—fully illustrated with photos and maps. This volume provides a complete picture of Gulf State armed forces, including historical information on each state describing how the various militaries developed. Maps are provided, along with a glossary of terms and diagrams showing various Orders of Battle. military histories of the forces are supported by scores of photographs, many of which showcase the uniforms and a selection of badges and insignia. Military forces covered in this volume include the Bahrain Levy Corps, Trucial Oman Levies, Trucial Oman Scouts, Union Defense Force, Federal Armed Force, Abu Dhabi Defense Force, Dubai Defense Force, Ras Al-Khaimah Mobile Force, Sharjah National Guard, Umm Al-Quwain National Guard and Sultan’s Armed Forces of Oman, plus selected paramilitary and police forces.

The UAE¿s relatively open borders, economy, and society have won praise from advocates of expanded freedoms in the Middle East while producing financial excesses, social ills such as prostitution and human trafficking, and relatively lax controls on sensitive technologies acquired from the West. Contents of this report: (1) Governance, Human Rights, and Reform: Status of Political Reform; Human Rights-Related Issues; (2) Cooperation Against Terrorism and Proliferation; (3) Foreign Policy and Defense Cooperation With the U.S.: Regional Issues; Security Cooperation with the U.S.: Relations With Iran; Cooperation on Iraq; Cooperation on Afghanistan and Pakistan; U.S. and Other Arms Sales; UAE Provision of Foreign Aid; (4) Economic Issues.

Led by Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE has become deeply embedded in the contemporary system of international power, politics, and policy-making. Only an independent state since 1971, the seven emirates that constitute the UAE represent not only the most successful Arab federal experiment but also the most durable. However, the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath underscored the continuing imbalance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and the five northern emirates. Meanwhile, the post-2011 security crackdown revealed the acute sensitivity of officials in Abu Dhabi to social inequalities and economic disparities across the federation. The United Arab Emirates: Power, Politics, and Policymaking charts the various processes of state formation and political and economic development that have enabled the UAE to emerge as a significant regional power and major player in the post Arab Spring reordering of Middle East and North African Politics, as well as the closest partner of the US in military and security affairs in the region. It also explores the seamier underside of that growth in terms of the condition of migrant workers, recent interventions in Libya and Yemen, and, latterly, one of the highest rates of political prisoners per capita in the world. The book concludes with a discussion of the likely policy challenges that the UAE will face in coming years, especially as it moves towards its fiftieth anniversary in 2021. Providing a comprehensive and accessible assessment of the UAE, this book will be a vital resource for students and scholars of International Relations and Middle East Studies, as well as non-specialists with an interest in the United Arab Emirates and its global position.

The U.S. Marines made famous their search for “a few good men.” The United Arab Emirates (UAE), however, wants all its men—from the ages of 18 to 30—to experience the discipline and rigors of military life. To that end, for reasons of national security, nation-building, and societal development, the UAE has instituted a universal conscription program, a rarity in the modern world of nations. This report is the most extensive effort to date to define and to understand the UAE conscription program—its successes, failures, and possible unintended consequences. The report outlines the circumstances influencing the UAE’s decision to impose military service for male citizens as a framework for an ambitious array of defense, nation-building, and human capital aims. Included in the report are details of the UAE’s program with a focus on important innovations, initial results, and relevant implications.