How 'Little Sparta' UAE shocked the Gulf by going its own way on oil

Middle East ConflictHow 'Little Sparta' UAE shocked the Gulf by going its own way on oilAt the heart of the UAE’s new direction is a stark policy divergence with its larger neighbor Saudi Arabia, as well as mounting frustration with the Gulf states’ response to attacks by Iran.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00 body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__container, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__media-holder, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) #content { z-index: auto; } Add NBC News to GoogleUAE announces it will leave OPEC03:01Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 29, 2026, 2:03 PM EDTBy Raf Sanchez and Michael FiorentinoDOHA, Qatar — Among senior U.S. officials, the wealthy Gulf nation of the United Arab Emirates is known by an affectionate nickname: Little Sparta.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The moniker, often attributed to former U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, reflects the American admiration for the UAE’s investment in its military and its willingness to act decisively, compared to its slower-moving Gulf neighbors. This week, “Little Sparta” lived up to its reputation for pivoting fast and going it alone, as it announced that on May 1 it will leave OPEC, the league of oil-exporting states that since 1960 plays a major role in setting global oil prices.By exiting the cartel, UAE will be able to set its own levels of oil production and no longer be bound by the collective decision-making of OPEC, which has long been accused by critics of placing artificial limits on production in order to boost oil prices. The decision comes amid mounting Emirati frustration with the Gulf states’ response to attacks by Iran and tensions between the UAE and its larger neighbor, Saudi Arabia, that are playing out on diplomatic fronts and battlefields across the region.“You are seeing a more independent and more assertive UAE policy in the region. This is the n...