The United Arab Emirates has departed the Opec oil cartel, a move interpreted as a drive to strengthen its economic autonomy and accelerate its foreign policy diversification. This decision is expected to lead to the UAE making more high-risk geopolitical moves in its pursuit of becoming a global power.

The United Arab Emirates is expected to continue making high-risk geopolitical moves with potentially high rewards, following its exit from the Opec oil cartel, as the small but extremely wealthy Gulf state strives to become a global power. Framed by Emirati officials as an orientation towards strengthening economic autonomy, the UAE’s decision to leave the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) on Tuesday coincided with the downgrading of its diplomatic participation in the Gulf.....