The Fox News Rundown Evening Edition: Building Rift Between Saudi Arabia And UAE Complicates U.S.-Israeli Interests
Feb 2, 2026
Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Middle East security analyst, discusses rising Saudi–UAE friction. He outlines how Yemen fuels the split and contrasts each country's regional strategies. He warns the widening rift complicates U.S. and Israeli interests and urges U.S. diplomatic intervention to prevent greater instability.
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Competing Models For Regional Power
- Saudi-UAE rivalry centers on competing models of regional influence, not just Israel or rhetoric.
- The Saudis back centralized governments while the Emiratis back local militias and territorial control in places like Yemen.
Shared Threat, Different Responses
- Both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi view the Muslim Brotherhood as a major threat but disagree on engagement tactics.
- Saudis favor a pragmatic approach; Emiratis see Brotherhood elements as uncompromising and dangerous.
U.S. Must Mediate Gulf Rift Now
- The Trump administration should intervene to de-escalate Saudi-UAE clashes before they worsen.
- Haul both capitals in and demand they prioritize broader threats like Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood.