The United Arab Emirates (UAE), formerly known as the Trucial States, is a consortium of seven states that became a federation in 1971. The UAE is located along the southeast coastline of the Persian Gulf and has a population of almost 10 million. While local Emiratis comprise approximately 11% of the population, the overwhelming majority of the population is made up of expatriates. The capital of the UAE is Abu Dhabi that is both a city and the name of the largest geographic emirate. The other prominent city in the UAE is Dubai that is also the name of the most populous emirate. Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah, Um Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ajman are the other emirates that make up the federation.

Historically several global powers ...