With Opec exit, UAE-Saudi split is complete — and West Asia now faces two rival visions
The UAE's exit from Opec marks a complete split from Saudi Arabia, revealing fundamentally different visions for the region. The two countries have diverged on oil economics, politics, and ideology, with the UAE emerging as a secular business hub and Saudi Arabia remaining ultraconservative.
The UAE's exit from Opec signifies a complete break with Saudi Arabia, driven by differing oil economics and ideological visions. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have moved from allies to adversaries. Their alliance, formed during the Arab Spring, saw joint interventions in Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, and Qatar, but ultimately unraveled due to incompatible interests. The UAE withdrew its forces from Yemen in 2019 and backed rebels fighting the Saudi-backed government. The two countries have since taken opposing sides in Sudan, Libya, and Somalia. Economically, Saudi Arabia wants to regulate oil supply to maintain high prices, while the UAE seeks to maximize oil sales before demand declines. The UAE, with a diversified economy, relies on oil for only 25% of its revenues, unlike Saudi Arabia, which remains heavily oil-dependent.
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