The Saudi-Emirati Rivalry Is Fueling a Series of Wars

The feud between the rulers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ramifications well beyond these two capital-rich, autocratic states in the Arabian Peninsula. It directly affects the long-suffering peoples of Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia who are among the poorest and most conflict-burdened populations of the world. Long simmering under the surface, the Saudi-Emirati rivalry blew up on December 30, 2025, when the Saudis bombed two Emirati ships in the port of Mukalla…