Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said he met for 90 minutes with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, dismissing circulating rumors about the Emirati leader’s health and describing him as “alive, well and as mentally sharp as ever.”
In a post published on X following the meeting, Graham pushed back forcefully against what he called “false narratives” directed at the United Arab Emirates and its president personally. “To those spreading false stories about the United Arab Emirates and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, you are completely wrong,” he wrote. “I met with him today for an hour and a half. Not only is he alive, he is well and as sharp as ever.”
Beyond addressing the speculation, Graham framed the meeting as taking place at a consequential moment for the region. He described the Middle East as standing on the brink of a “new historical phase” that could reshape its political and strategic landscape for decades to come.
Competing Visions for the Region
Graham praised the UAE’s model of governance and development, calling it a pathway toward regional openness and international integration in contrast to what he described as forces promoting isolation and extremism.
He singled out the UAE’s embrace of the Abraham Accords the U.S.-brokered normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states, as one of the most consequential shifts in the modern Middle East. The accords, signed in 2020 under President Donald Trump, were widely seen as a strategic realignment aimed at fostering economic ties and countering Iran’s regional influence.
“His decision to embrace the Abraham Accords and modernize his country while preserving religious identity represents the largest shift I’ve seen in the Middle East in my lifetime,” Graham wrote.
The senator argued that such transformations cannot succeed in isolation, urging other regional governments to move beyond a spectator role and actively participate in reshaping the region’s trajectory.
Saudi Arabia and Vision 2030
Graham also pointed to reform efforts in Saudi Arabia, referencing the long-term development blueprint known as Saudi Vision 2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He said he supports both the Emirati and Saudi reform agendas, adding that closer economic and strategic integration in the Gulf would benefit not only the region but also American states such as his own, South Carolina.
Following his meeting in Abu Dhabi, Graham said he would travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with Prince Mohammed, whom he described as having demonstrated “considerable courage and wisdom” in advancing reforms.
Iran and Regional Fault Lines
In his remarks, Graham drew a sharp contrast between Gulf reform initiatives and the leadership of Iran’s clerical establishment, often referred to by critics as the “Ayatollah regime.” He warned that continued repression inside Iran and the persistence of hardline policies could jeopardize the progress represented by the Abraham Accords and broader normalization efforts.
Regional tensions remain high amid disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, proxy conflicts, and competing security architectures. Gulf states, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have in recent years sought to balance economic modernization and diplomatic outreach with security concerns tied to Tehran’s influence.
A Pivotal Moment
Graham portrayed the current period as a defining juncture. “History is about to be made,” he wrote, urging regional leaders to align with what he characterized as a vision of openness and modernization rather than a return to ideological confrontation.
Analysts note that the Middle East is indeed undergoing profound change: normalization between Israel and several Arab states, ambitious economic diversification programs in the Gulf, shifting U.S. engagement in the region, and ongoing tensions with Iran are collectively redefining alliances and power dynamics.
Whether these initiatives will solidify into lasting transformation or face setbacks from geopolitical rivalry and domestic pressures remains uncertain.
“The days ahead will tell,” Graham concluded a sentiment reflecting both optimism and the fragility of a region at a crossroads.
