The Emirates Wire
The Emirates Wire
The UAE and the Widening Gulf Conflict: What Happens Next?
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HE
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 conflict — 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.
The UAE is in the Middle of a Widening Conflict
The Gulf is in a difficult summer. Houthi missiles have killed seafarers in the Red Sea again, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed by the Iran-US confrontation, and sanctions on Iran are tightened, loosened and tightened again from one week to the next. The United Arab Emirates sits in the middle of it all: a security partner, a trading partner, a mediator, and one of the United Kingdom's most important Arab investment partners.
The UAE and the Widening Gulf Conflict: What Happens Next?
On Wednesday 9 September, Emirates Wire convenes a public discussion in London to work through what that means for the UAE's economy, its diplomacy, its relationships with London, Washington and Riyadh, and its investors. And what the UK should be doing about it.
Event Details
Programme begins at 6:45 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 conflict 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 Conflict: What Happens Next?
This event 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 strife-torn and increasingly volatile Gulf.
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.
Sir Oliver Dowden KCB CBE MP
MP for Hertsmere, Deputy Prime Minister 2023–24, former Culture Secretary, and Chair of the UK-UAE APPG.
James Swanston
Barclays Middle East & North Africa Economist covering the Gulf states, Egypt and North Africa, with extensive experience analysing regional macroeconomics and financial markets.
Dr Burcu Ozcelik
Lead Middle East, North Africa and Turkey Security Programme at RUSI. Security specialist with 15+ years in geopolitical risk across MENA, Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Programme
An evening of 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 conflict.
Places are limited.
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