A lot of knee-jerkers here (here meaning both FR and America) will be suspect simply because they're Arabs, but most in the UAE are capitalists through and through and, as you said, are looking beyond an oil-based economy. That's why I found the whole Dubai Ports World thing rediculous - an alliance of protectionist "conservative" dimwits who don't understand economics or international relations and Democrats looking to bash the President in any way they can. I, however, think we will prevail in the WOT and the UAE could become a model for the potential of the rest of the Middle East. I too would like to visit Dubai someday.
Yea, I have a few friends who have done some contracting in Iraq and made a stop in Dubai.. said it was a fun place, and doubly fun after being in Iraq for 6 months.