US Bases in the UAE Now Seen as a Burden, Not an Asset
US military bases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now regarded as a burden rather than a strategic asset. The UAE has even been urged to consider closing US bases in its territory.
This call, as reported by Middle East Monitor and Fars News on Tuesday (21/4/2026), was made by Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a Professor of Political Science at the United Arab Emirates University, following US President Donald Trump’s involvement of the Middle East region, including the UAE, in the war against Iran.
Abdulla, a former advisor to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, openly called for a review of the US military presence in the UAE. He even stated that the UAE no longer needs direct protection from the US due to its increasingly advanced defence capabilities.
“The UAE no longer needs America to defend it. The UAE has proven during the Iranian attacks that it can defend itself effectively,” said Abdulla in a statement reported by Reuters, as quoted by Middle East Monitor.
“What the UAE needs is to obtain the best and most advanced weaponry that the US possesses. Therefore, it is time to think about closing the American bases, as those bases have become a burden rather than a strategic asset,” asserted the prominent UAE academic.
Abdulla reiterated his call by posting his statement on social media platform X on Sunday (19/4) evening.
He emphasised that the current phase requires serious consideration of the future of US military bases in UAE territory.
Furthermore, Abdulla warned that the continued presence of US bases could drag the UAE into regional conflicts in which it is not directly involved.
This political professor stated that focusing on strengthening national capabilities and advanced weaponry would be more beneficial than maintaining a foreign military presence.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the US has at least 19 military locations—eight of which are considered permanent—in the Middle East region. Before the war between the US and Israel against Iran erupted at the end of February, around 40,000 US troops were stationed in the region.
The UAE itself hosts 3,500 US troops and is home to the Al-Dhafra airbase, which is jointly used by the UAE, the US, and France.
Since the war erupted, Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on targets in Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. The UAE has been severely affected, with hundreds of drone and missile attacks raining down on the country in recent weeks.