page_title: United Arab Emirates–United States relations
section_title: Diplomatic Relations
hierarchical_section_title: United Arab Emirates–United States relations / Diplomatic Relations
caption_attribution_description: English: US embassy in Abu Dhabi. Français&#160;: L'ambassade des États-Unis à Abou Dabi.
context_page_description: United Arab Emirates–United States relations are bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America. The United Arab Emirates has been described as the United State's best counter-terrorism ally in the Gulf by Richard A. Clarke, the US national security advisor and counter-terrorism expert. In terms of defense, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces has been nicknamed "Little Sparta" by United States Armed Forces Generals and US secretary of defense James Mattis for its active role against extremists in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates also hosts the only United States border preclearance in the Middle East.
context_section_description: The United States was the third country to establish formal diplomatic relations with the UAE and has had an ambassador resident in the UAE since 1974. The two countries have enjoyed friendly relations with each other and have developed strong government-to-government ties including a close security cooperation. The quality of U.S.-UAE relations increased dramatically as a result of the U.S.-led coalition's campaign to end the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. UAE ports host more U.S. Navy ships than any port outside the U.S.
  According to former US ambassador to the UAE Richard G. Olson, “It was well known that if you needed something done in the Middle East, the Emiratis would do it.”
  Leading the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC is Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, who presented his credentials in July 2008.
  In December 2018, the UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus to restore ties with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – a step that the UAE took against the wishes of the US. In January 2019, the UAE hosted a Syrian trade delegation that was led by a businessman, who was on US Treasury sanctions list since 2011.
caption: US embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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