Oil Rebellion : UAE’s Exit from OPEC
Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics The decision by the United Arab Emirates to withdraw from OPEC after more than half a century represents a profound shift in the structure of Gulf energy politics. This move is not simply a technical adjustment to production policy, but a strategic rupture that reflects a deeper transformation in how Abu Dhabi positions itself within the regional and global order. At its core, the withdrawal signals a departure from collective coordination and an embrace of unilateral action, even as global markets remain fragile in the aftermath of the Iran war. For decades, OPEC served as a mechanism through which major oil producers coordinated output to manage supply, stabilize prices, and maintain influence over global energy markets. The UAE’s participation in this framework was not only economic but also political, reinforcing a broader system of Gulf alignment. By stepping away, Abu Dhabi is effectively dismantling part of that system, prioritizing ...
