The United States issued a warning to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for what it called “provocative self-confidence”.
Residents of Palm Island Resort fear that their cavalier lifestyles may spill over the causeway onto the mainland
According to the U.S. State Department, the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom, left unscathed by recent turmoil in the Middle East, “is looking a little too comfortable given the state of the world.” The UAE has been recently designated by the U.S. State Department as a “pompously rogue nation”, refusing to succumb to instability like the rest of the region and is accused of inciting feelings of inferiority among its neighbors.
Both the United States and the United Nations have each condemned the UAE’s excessive use of political calm along with its defiant flaunting of economic strength and high per capita income.
Relaying a similar message that was delivered to Liechtenstein in 2009 which, like the Emirates, irresponsibly thrived during the worldwide recession, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in the capital city of Abu Dhabi only to be met with serene streets and bustling restaurants.
“We are appalled at the lack of austerity measures, violent protests and military crackdowns that we come to expect from this region.” Clinton said, adding that she doubted the UAE was being straightforward with the international community. “Despite outward appearances, we must still assume that UAE isn’t all that.”
According to the State Department, the Emirates are 'a little too serene for their own good'
Much of the worrisome harmony among the Emirate”s half million citizens and 5.5 million visiting workforce is a result of swift and decisive government spending used to avert any impending crisis. The Emirate’s decision to cut food costs by as much as 30% at a time when food riots have dragged entire nations into insurrection and violence has led to cries of outrage by neighboring Yemen, Oman and Bahrain.
However, the men and women on the streets of Dubai were dismissive of the growing international condemnation of their comfortable lifestyles.
“Revolt in the UAE? That won’t happen,” laughs Antu Bashar, a biomechanical engineer from Bangladesh who has been driving a limo in Dubai for 12 years.
“Why should we protest? I am a second class citizen here and have few rights but –praise be to Allah– life is good. With my salary, I can support three families back home,” Antu said as he was summoned by an Emirati to load shopping bags into his car.
The State Department expressed deep concern over UAE’s complete disregard for the feelings and sense of fairness among its neighbors and is calling for maximum economic restraint.
White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters, “at a time when the Arab world is facing severe political upheaval and most western countries are still on the brink of financial collapse, the UAE. . . well, look at them. So smug, like they don’t have a care in the world.”
On Wednesday, Emirati Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum further increased regional tensions by announcing a $1.5 billion investment in electricity and water infrastructure projects in the underdeveloped areas of the northern emirates. This prompted the administration to again respond with strong condemnation.
“This type of provocation is not productive and only leads to heightened levels of envy and resentment in the Persian Gulf region,” Carney said.
According to the White House, the United States is considering seeking a UN resolution designed to point out to the international community the many faults and lingering insecurities that the UAE likely has, but won’t admit to.
JB Goodbody frequently has thoughts in his head that makes him smile. Were they made public at the moment they poofed into existence, without some form of structured outlet such as satire, these thoughts would cause significant distress among his friends, family and coworkers. This is why he is here. 
IVE JUST READ THROUGH THE COMMENTS…I AM IN THE COMPANY OF UTTER IDIOTS…
DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THERE IS A BANGLADESHI ENGINEER DRIVING A LIMO FOR 12 YEARS.
THE PROBLEM WITH THE CLOSED MEDIA INTHE UAE IS THAT YOU MISS OUT ON A TYPE OF COMEDY AND JOURNALISM THAT CAN BE REVEALING ABOUT A COUNTRY.
ITS CLEARLY PUTTING A SPIN ON THE FACT THAT THE UAE IS UNDERSTANDABLY COCKY ABOUT COMING OUT OF THE UPRISINGS UNSCATHED.
FOR THE PERSON WHO SAID ”GET YOU HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS” I SUGGEST YOU GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND AND EDUCATE YOURSELF SLIGHTLY
Bobby Blue.
Thanks for the help in clarification but I have to disagree with you.
The comments have certainly been interesting but not unexpected. I don’t agree that they are idiots (more than any other random sampling of people, anyway). Much of the response has originated from the article being reposted on blogs and translated into Arabic. I can’t read or speak Arabic, much less understand its humor, and don’t consider myself an idiot.
When I translated the piece into Arabic and then back into English, all of the subtle humor and satire evaporated, giving any reasonable person the impression that this was an article critical of the UAE, written by a misinformed journalist that clearly needed to be corrected.
Because the article is purely a piece of satire, intended to highlight both the success and the ostentatious (perhaps obscene) wealth of the UAE,, the missteps of the U.S. State Department, and western stereotypes of middle eastern countries, I certainly have no intention of pulling back or apologizing. But I totally get why this article is misunderstood.
Frankly, I’ve been impressed at the level of passion and defensiveness of the Emirates, although i think its unnecessary..
Goodbody,
Thanks for the reply but I still stick to what I said and think it shows a severe lack of sense of humour not see that its a joke.
I live in the UK but have lived in Dubai and I’ve seen time and time again an over sensitivity about any comments regarding the country. If there was an open press things would be so different as the reality would come to the surface that dubai in many ways is a wonderful place and has been hugely succesful and people acknowledge that. But as the only very positive things are allowed to be said about the dubai in the press there, the people end up almost brainwashed to the degree to which they are positive about the country. It is ostentatious, immigrants are often treated as second class citizens. That is the reality.
However in this article, its not criticizing the place and thats what got my back up. The reaction shows that the population are so brainwashed by the what theyre fed in the media that the slightest difference in angle in comparison to the all praising radio/news over there and they go mad
It’s the British Expats that have ruined the UAE.
It is the expats that ruined the UAE, and yeah especially the UKs!
Now after everyone had stacked his pocket to the fullest, the talking starts!!! shameful!
Dubai is built on cheap and illegal labor from Pakistan,India and South Asia. Still Millions of Azaad Visas are daily sold in South Asia to bring illegal underpaid manpower (Engineers, labor, doctors etc.) to work as slaves in UAE and KSA.
dear MR.Goodbody
Thanks for the effort on this article , i don’t think the city of dubai interfere into others matters nor even the US , I do know many of united states of america citizens & they are a really good friends of mine , thats why i like the nation but not the political system , anyways every human got his own opinion , well if this article about intimidation then i am gonna tell you , sorry you did fail to succeed such a goal , as many many article been wrote on the past about my city .
provocative self-confidence , i think thats the winners attitude
1st of all … who issued this warning ? i would like to know the main source … or its just a media propaganda , as most of the media is deception & believe me i heard this throughout american writers & speakers
????international condemnation of their comfortable lifestyles ???? well please can you tell me how the international condemnation want the people in dubai to behave of even act , who knows it might help , i love this part of your article man , so creative , i am your forever fan
FYI :-
– i think who ever decided to work in the soil of the united arab emirates , they worked by their will , you can ask them , non been forced to work .
– dubai is a state not a kingdom .
– Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum beside he’s the vice president & the ruling governor of dubai .
((( such a intimidating article will give the city more leverage for it own success )))
as [50 Cent] said – song – ((( Patiently Waiting )))
You shouldn’t throw stones
If you live in a glass house
And if you got a glass jaw
You should watch your mouth …
i wont say as he says i will break your face , as i don’t believe in violence ( such as in iraq or Afghanistan) & i respect others opinion , have a great day & wish u much successful articles soon .
The U.S. continues to interfere in the Middle East’s affairs. AGAIN, the U.S. government is trying to raise conflict and create rage, jealousy and competition amongst Arab/GCC countries. The comment in your article only proves this: (“The UAE…refusing to succumb to instability like the rest of the region and is accused of inciting feelings of inferiority among its neighbors”.) “Succumb”?? Can’t you see how much the UAE has HELPED the region…? The U.S. should worry about its own people. I mean, they have SO many problems to take care of. From polluted rivers and AIDS, to homeless people and domestic violence etc etc. How does their government even have TIME to look at other nations? If they do, they should be more worried about poor states like African & Far Eastern nations. But it’s always oil-rich countries they observe very carefully..!
UK Expats ruined the UAE…… ha ha ha!
The reason you have Expats from the UK is because you needed them!
They have the skill and experience to build the impressive (but sometime stupid projects) that the Emirates desire!
None of the Arab nations have the attributes needed to be able to do design and construct the type of buildings you see today!
Don’t blame them because they have answered the call for assistance, come and done the work and taken your money! If you didn’t want them you shouldn’t have asked them and if you hadn’t paid em well they wouldn’t have come…….. and you would still be driving on a sandy SZR like 15yrs ago and living in squalor!
i agree with (god bless dubai) and (HH)
How US want emiraty people to behave , if they have comfortable lifestyle !!
common clinton u have to focus on US proplems better than pushing ur nose on something nt from ur business
When Wall street giants take normal salary that doesn’t equal a country budget, when free market is properly regulated by social justice, then come, US, and talk about fairness and self-restraint. How about starting with showing respect to the whole world and leaving Iraq oil to Iraqis? huh
How dare you UAE becoming stable?!! hahaha…
pitiful really!
Well I dont get this, few of the americans are calling the emiratis moron or anything. But look at yourself, americans, you guys came to the US in the 18th century as prisoners…so check your roots and then call others by the names.
Although am not an Emirati nor an Arab, I would still support the country and its people and the expat society here since UAE and its great rulers have given us a lot…atleast better than what US Government tried to do for its own people…
Let this be a satirical article, but you americans do not have the right to make such remarks on any other nationalities. If you do so, please do check your 18th century or before roots, how you landed in american first…
i just want to ask mr goobody from where u get this quots and informations ?
its fals