UAE: The Effects of the Port Deal Reversal in the Middle East

U.S. President George W. Bush expressed concern March 10 that the reversal of the Dubai Ports World deal will generate adverse perceptions among U.S. allies and partners in the Arab/Muslim world. Bush's concerns are valid; the deal's death will indeed have a negative effect in countries like the United Arab Emirates, where neither the state nor society for the most part has been at odds with the United States. Al Qaeda will exploit this to its advantage in an effort to expand its sphere of operations, which could result in insecurity in these otherwise stable countries.