Biden taps UAE as major defense partner after historic visit

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden designated the United Arab Emirates as a major defense partner Monday after Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan paid a historic visit to the White House.

Abu Dhabi now joins India as the only nations with that designation. It allows for more robust cooperation between their militaries, including expanded joint training, exercises, and military-to-military collaboration.

"Acknowledging the U.S. and UAE’s deepening security partnership and cooperation in advanced technology and acquisition, shared interest in preventing conflict and de-escalation, President Biden today recognized the United Arab Emirates as a Major Defense Partner of the United States," a joint leaders’ statement released by the White House said.

Monday's White House visit by al-Nahyan was the first ever for an Emirati leader.

During the meeting, the leaders "pledged to pursue new opportunities to strengthen their economic and defense partnership; promote peace and stability across the Middle East and wider region; and deliver global leadership on issues of shared importance," the statement said.

That includes further cooperation on trade and advanced technologies, space exploration, bolstering supply chain resiliency, and clean energy development.

The leaders’ statement said Biden and al-Nahyan "emphasized the ongoing need for the urgent, unhindered, and sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, at a scale commensurate with the growing needs among the civilian population throughout Gaza."

"They called on all parties to ensure the safety, security, and sustained access of aid workers to all those in need, and to create the conditions needed to facilitate an effective humanitarian response in Gaza," it said.

"His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed commended the mediation efforts by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, to reach a lasting and sustainable ceasefire and hostage release deal to help end the war in Gaza," it added.