Matthew Hedges

Not even a week after JD Vance traveled to Budapest to show his support and love for him, the pro-Russian Viktor Orban has suffered one of the most catastrophic electoral defeats in the history of the Hungarian nation. Do visit us more often, JD! Cheers from Europe!🇪🇺

@borzou I wrote my PhD on the topic! hurstpublishers.com/book/reinventi…

This. There was a time I really loved Dubai, as well as a Abu Dhabi. Visited Fujairah. It was fun, free-wheeling. Stuff worked. Then MBZ turned the UAE into a malign little viper state sowing murder and mayhem and evil. It started right around 2013, I think.

It might force a leadership change. The mistakes since Zayed died are immense

@HassanZ02 @HurstPublishers thank you for your kind words!

Read this magisterial work by @Mhedgesh on #UAE authoritarianism as it is embattled by authoritarian #Iran. The work contextualizes the political repression, media censorship & information manipulation in opaque authoritarian system of rule, control & coercion. @HurstPublishers

The UK is considering an American style global tax regime. If you move to zero tax havens like Dubai, you will still be forced to pay British income tax for the privilege of holding a UK passport and getting embassy protection. The tax loopholes might finally close.

Security Adjustment. (4/4) There will likely be an evaluation of security alliances and assessment of the resilience of military supply chains. Reliance on #NATO has been exposed while Abu Dhabi’s attempt to ally with China and Russia bore minimal benefit.

Social Identity & Insider Threat. (3/4) Emphasising homogenity through #AbuDhabi leadership. There will likely be a campaign to erase the legacy of Iranian heritage amongst the Emirati “Ajami” community. This could result in a large number having citizenship revoked.

What are the long-term consequences of the Iran war for the #UAE? Political Economy. (1/4) Energy exports will adjust but logistics will require rehabilitation. Consumer confidence will suffer and government budgets will be hit, reducing capacity for international investments.

“Everyone is Emirati!”

My longer read for @DAWNmenaorg on the flawed US/Israeli assumptions when fighting a networked militia with a state "Israel and America are now at war with the largest militia network in the world — a network of networks engineered to endure attrition indefinitely" I am looking at how networks evolve and reshape, and what this means for the potential metamorphosis of the IRGC moving forward dawnmena.org/america-is-bog…

I wonder if Dubai will start arresting people who post on social media about the property collapse next. Wouldn’t surprise me.

@NoeNicholas Just for more humorous context… reuters.com/world/middle-e…

This is very funny:

Lavrov telling the Gulf countries that they are spineless. Never seen him this pissed before.

Congratulations to @Alexbrowder_ who’s crypto currency money laundering report led to a major expose in today’s @Telegraph

US - Iran scenarios in the weeks ahead

Subject: Security Alert - Shelter-In-Place - U.S. Mission UAE, Feb. 28, 2026 Location: UAE Event: Due to regional hostilities, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S. Consulate in Dubai have instructed staff to shelter-in-place (i.e., take cover). We recommend all Americans in the UAE do the same until further notice. Assistance: Dial 999 for emergency services in UAE U.S. citizens can contact the consular section at: U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi Telephone: +(971) (2) 414-2200 Emergency Telephone: +(971) (0) 2-414-2200 Email: ACSAbuDhabi@state.gov U.S. Consulate General Dubai Telephone: +(971) (4) 309-4000 Emergency Telephone: +(971) (4) 309-4000 Email: DubaiACS@state.gov Actions to Take: Find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items. Monitor media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans. Keep your phone charged and maintain communication with family and friends to inform them of your status. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest updates on security in UAE.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor uses cunning plan in an attempt to make charges disappear...

At the same time in 2009, videos of UAE President MBZ's half brother torturing 25 people were circulated in the U.S. Of course, he was found innocent by an Abu Dhabi court. theguardian.com/world/2009/may…