The Emirates Wire
The Emirates Wire
A policy, media & business in-person event
The UAE and the Widening Gulf War: What Happens Next?
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
National Liberal Club, Central London
Guest arrival from 6:00 pm
Free to attend · Business Casual
Join senior figures from policy, diplomacy, media and business for a timely discussion on the UAE's position amid an escalating regional war — its resilience, its diplomatic balancing act, and its relationship with Britain and the wider West.
Places are limited. Registration is required.
Reserve your place
Attendance is free, but advance registration is required.
Attendance by registration only.
A defining moment for the UAE and the region
Since 28 February 2026, few London forums have taken a focused look at what the war has meant for the UAE: how it has been targeted, how it has responded, how its relationships with the UK, other Gulf states, Israel and the West are evolving, and what the UAE's trajectory looks like as the conflict continues to unfold.
The UAE and the Widening Gulf War: What Happens Next?
brings together senior figures from policy, diplomacy, media and business for a frank discussion on new security alignments, the contest over the Strait of Hormuz, and the future of the UK–UAE relationship in a wartime and increasingly volatile Gulf.
Timed to sit prominently within London's policy calendar, the event is designed to shape the debate — not follow it.
Event Details
Programme begins at 6:30 pm
Central London
A defining moment for the UAE and the region
Since 28 February 2026, few London forums have taken a focused look at what the war has meant for the UAE: how it was targeted, how it responded, how its relationships with Britain, Israel and the West have evolved, and what the post-war UAE now looks like.
The UAE After the War: What Happens Next? brings together senior figures from policy, diplomacy, media and business for a frank discussion on new security alignments, the Hormuz settlement and the future of the UK–UAE relationship in a post-war Gulf.
Timed to sit prominently within London’s policy calendar, the event is designed to shape the debate — not follow it.
Event Details
Programme begins at 6:30 pm
Central London
Confirmed Speakers
The panel for 9 September is now confirmed.
Chair
David Waddell
BBC News producer covering international business, energy and geopolitics; recent moderator at the Royal Geographical Society and House of Commons.
Sir Oliver Dowden KCB CBE MP
MP for Hertsmere, Deputy Prime Minister 2023–24, former Culture Secretary, and Chair of the UK-UAE APPG.
Rita Massoud
Leads the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, with 25+ years strengthening Arab-British trade across the UK and Middle East.
Dr Burcu Ozcelik
RUSI Middle East security specialist with 15+ years in geopolitical risk across MENA, Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Programme
An evening of keynote remarks, expert discussion, audience questions and networking.
Join the discussion
Be part of a timely conversation about the UAE’s security, diplomacy and international relationships following the war.
Places are limited.
Hosted by Emirates Wire
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HE.
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