GATESTONE
To Defend the Abraham Accords, Trump Must First Defend the UAE
Robert Williams
March 9, 2026

…That choice became unmistakable in 2020, when the UAE signed the Abraham Accords with Israel. The agreement formally established peace, diplomatic relations, and full normalization between the two states. Its significance went far beyond diplomacy….That break with the past is exactly why the UAE became a target. The Iranian regime and its proxies understand perfectly well what the Emirates represent. A confident Arab and Muslim-majority country that embraces modern governance, welcomes investment, works closely with the United States, and makes peace with Israel is a living refutation of their entire worldview. Tehran’s ideological project depends on persuading the region that dignity can only come through militancy and permanent hostility. The UAE proves the opposite. It demonstrated that sovereignty can be defended without fanaticism, and that prosperity can be built through peace rather than perpetual war. This is why attacks on the UAE are not merely attacks on a country. They are attacks on a model for peace. READ MORE