Thanks for addressing the questions. Makes me feel a little better knowing that their government's willing to put a few of their guys on the line. I'm sure DP does good work. Was really speaking more about throwing UAE, as a nation, a bone by letting them set up shop here.
They didn't make as much of an effort as a true friend like GB, but they're putting in an effort. They get a B in the 'military-ally' column of the report card.
I still think their government's just playing along to serve their security interests vis-a-vis Iran. I also believe there's plenty of money that was/is/continues to be funneled to Al Qaeda, and serious nasties elsewhere by UAE citizens through Islamic 'charities', and so-forth. Just because the government publicly frowns upon it doesn't mean it's not happening. Economic appeasement in my book. They get a 'D' in the 'friendly-nation' column.
I believe in free-trade as a principle, but not the recipe for societal change in the ME. I think we've been playing that game for way too long. Carrot-and-stick works only if you wait until after the all the work gets done to feed them the carrot.
Admittedly just my opinion, and possibly histrionic in the eyes of some here, but I'm sticking to it.
There's no need to throw a bone. DP World is tops at what they do. They put in their bid and won the contract on their own merits. We then vetted them through the system designed by Congress.