Reinventing the Sheikhdom: Clan, Power and Patronage in Mohammed bin Zayed's UAE

The relative calm in the United Arab Emirates has offered a regional roadmap for stability, with Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed, driving modernisation to strengthen his grasp on power. His strategy of fortification has focused on pre-empting threats from the UAE's native population, consolidating power and distributing its administration among his tribal and kinship allies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 02 December 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The Arab Spring, while causing widespread destruction across the Middle East, has presented a unique opportunity for stability in the United Arab Emirates. Since the turn of the century, significant domestic changes have reshaped the country's dynamics, solidifying power within Abu Dhabi. While Khalifa bin Zayed succeeded his father as emir of Abu Dhabi and UAE president in 2004, the true architect of the Emirates' evolution has been Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed. Under his leadership, the security apparatus has flourished, and a meticulous approach to governance has been implemented. Mohammed bin Zayed's strategy of fortification has primarily aimed at mitigating threats from the UAE's native population rather than from expatriates or foreign actors. This approach has allowed him to consolidate power, distributing its administration among his tribal and kinship allies. In essence, Mohammed bin Zayed has driven modernisation as a means to strengthen his hold on power.

This book delves into Mohammed bin Zayed's regime security strategy, offering a comprehensive illustration of the network of alliances that seek to support his reign and that of his family. In a region characterized by constant turbulence, the UAE remains a vital hub for understanding the evolution of Middle Eastern authoritarian control.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 149 x 224 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787385467