The UAE was one of the first countries in the world to offer its condolences after 9/11. Every year on 9/11 it hosts a state ceremony outside the US Embassy in memory of the victims of 9/11. And it has been our strongest ally in the region since 9/11.
"By the way, do you believe that Arabs and Muslims are not bigoted towards Americans, Europeans and infidels?"
Yes, some are. Some aren't. But that is irrelevant. Some Arabs molest children. Does that entitle us to do the same?
"Alliances are built on many things, dear Rokke, and are built over time not overnight. "
Our alliance with the UAE stretches back to 1971. Only recently have we started to shift our relationship to India to one that might be considered "friendly"
"UAE is a monarchy that follows Sharia law."
It is not a monarchy. It is a federation. And the United States has never chosen its allies based on their legal system.
"Pre-WOT, what was the importance of our alliance with UAE? Please educate me, since I am at fault in "understanding" this."
The UAE occupies some of the most strategic territory on the face of the earth. Look at map and see if you can guess why. It sits at the gateway to the Persian Gulf. Its ports are among the best developed and most secure in one of the fastest growing economic regions on the planet. For many years prior to 9/11 it has been in the process of transforming its economy from being oil based to being a center or world trade and commerce. It is succeeding in that effort and has become the key trade center in Southwest Asia. Those are just a few of many reasons why our alliance with them has been and remains important.
It is not a monarchy. It is a federation.
Nice dodge. Dubai is a monarchy, as is each of the Emirates that comprise the federation. And they all follow Sharia law in their business dealings.
I'll ask you again. What did the U.S. alliance with UAE pre-WOT consist of? Because you rambled all over the place on that one and did not answer the question.
"By the way, do you believe that Arabs and Muslims are not bigoted towards Americans, Europeans and infidels?"
Yes, some are. Some aren't. But that is irrelevant. Some Arabs molest children. Does that entitle us to do the same?
I was not asking in terms of moral equivalence, but as a point of information. But go ahead, and keep your blinders on to the deadly enemy that faces us.