Global Security Newswire

Recent missile defense efforts by the United Arab Emirates reflect concerns that the nation could be caught in the middle of a nuclear exchange, the Khaleej Times reported today (see GSN, Dec. 24, 2008).

"The UAE is confronted with almost a 180-degree nuclear arc, starting from Israel, Iran and reach[ing] up to India and Pakistan at the other end," said retired Gen. Khaled Abdulla al Bu-Ainnain, who heads a think tank that is preparing a comprehensive air-defense plans for the nation. "All these countries are known to be possessing nuclear armaments and have acquired a sophisticated delivery systems for such weapons of mass destruction.''

"This in no way means that all these countries are hostile to the UAE. But we cannot be blind to the risks and threats involved in these countries arming with nuclear capabilities. We may even become victims of crossfires between different countries," he added. "Suppose Israel or the U.S. attacks Iran, we could be caught in-between. Our rulers have been acutely sensitive to these realities and are in the process [of] building up a robust air-defense system for the Emirates."

Meanwhile, leaders have allocated $100 million for the nation's nuclear authority as it prepares to pursue a nuclear development program (see GSN, Dec. 23, 2008; T. Ramavarman, Khaleej Times, Jan. 14).