RAND > Multimedia >

A Conversation with His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States

The United Arab Emirates has become one of the United States' strongest allies in the Middle East. Its ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, has been instrumental to enhancing UAE-US relations and improving bilateral security and economic cooperation between the two nations. As part of a special visit to RAND, Ambassador Al Otaiba describes his vision for a stable, tolerant, and prosperous Middle East.

Ambassador Al Otaiba was named ambassador to Washington in 2008. Al Otaiba speaks often about how the two countries can work together to counter extremism and aggression in the region. He has been a vocal advocate of military intervention against ISIS, and played a key role in building support for the airstrikes against ISIS in fall 2014, the first of which was led by a UAE pilot. The UAE is also the United States' largest trading partner in the Middle East, where it is fast becoming an economic engine for the region.

Featured Speaker

His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba

His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba

Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States

Learn More

  • Yousef Al Otaiba, United Arab Emirates ambassador to the United States, speaks at RAND's headquarters campus in Santa Monica, California, June 1, 2016

    A New Middle East: Rhodes Scholars, Not Radicals

    Jun 2, 2016

    United Arab Emirates Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba visited RAND to discuss what he sees as the UAE's progress as an emerging power in the Middle East and a reliable ally of the West. Despite threats to the region, the next generation of young people is spreading a culture of optimism, opportunity, and openness.

  • Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 24, 2015

    The Next Generation of Leaders in the Gulf

    Feb 15, 2016

    Becca Wasser , Jeffrey Martini

    The face of leadership in the Gulf is getting younger. There are reasons not to assume that the Gulf's young leaders will gravitate to democratization. But their rise does provide an opportunity for a much-needed update to U.S. strategy in the region.