“Recent tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have raised questions about the future stability of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The hysteria is overblown and disregards normal, positive competition between neighboring states, much like Germany and France. What we are witnessing is standard jockeying between two emerging economies working to diversify and grow.” 

–Amjad Ahmad, director and resident senior fellow of empowerME at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, analyzes the economic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. [Atlantic Council]