I've read from people on FR who have been there that it is one of the most westernized of the Gulf states, heck even Tiger Woods plays golf there.
They ain't saudi arabia and according to reports I've heard, wish to build a modern society much different than the iranian mullahs.
Well, Dane, it makes me gag to think we have to rely on these people, but the simple fact despite your laudatory hoopla about the proposal is that this is payback.
It doesn't change. Xerxes, Caesar, Bush...the names change but the world doesn't.
It wouldn't be any different under the democrats since the game was already being played the same way...
Well, I have spent some time in the UAE as well. It is a thoroughly Muslim country, ruled from the top down. Granted, it has some western-leaning ways, as it was owned by the British at one time. No, they are not quite Saudi Arabia, but they are closer than kissin' cousins. The people live under Sharia Law - which ought to tell you something about the personal freedoms people have and the kind of society they have. If you are a Muslim, you better not even think about leaving Islam, much less talk openly about it!
So, where do their real loyalties lie, besides the Almighty Dollar and the furtherance of their personal power?
I'll tell you what. I will agree to let the UAE run our ports when they agree to let Billy Graham run an open crusade at the Dubai Racing Track. OK? Oh, and they also have to let the Southern Baptist Convention finance and build a big church (at least the size of the mosque just south of Toledo, Ohio) down near the Dubai Gold Souk and open it to everybody, not just foreigners.
If they go along with those conditions, I'll gladly let them run our ports if they can do the job and are the lowest bidder. If not, they can just eat their oil money for all I care.