Not to mention, they've even put their allies on shaky grounds now. I have Emirati friends, and all of them told me that they're hearing that none of their compatriots are happy with the war, as well as with the government's current posturing about allying with Israel, even though it was a 50/50 support for it when the Abraham Accords were signed. With full support for US actions, they've only strengthened the case for radicalization and dissident actions in their homeland.

Not to mention, the image of the GCC, particularly Dubai, as a stable oasis in the midst of a reckless desert, has been shattered. All the rich folk have already left (including some in my network), and companies are unilaterally laying off workers and shutting down.

There's also the issue of divisions within the GCC itself - there are many influential rulers who were caught completely unawares by US actions, and secretly voicing criticism against the federal authority's actions.

Dubai and the Emirates in general should have concerned themselves first with securing the freedom of navigation of the Persian Gulf, and then with building a playground for adults. But they didn't and expected someone else to do it for them.