Is Dubai still Dubai? A golden image tested by war
The recurrent Iranian attacks for more than two weeks are a heavy blow for the emirate, which is betting everything on its image as a safe haven in an unstable region.
An Emirates aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026. (Credit: AFP)
Luxury, calm and indulgence. That's what Dubai has long promised the world — with its dazzling skyline full of high-rises and the towering Burj Khalifa. The city attracts both the wealthy and ambitious young professionals, drawn as much by minimal taxation as by its quality of life. Between fine sandy beaches, sophisticated brunches, gala evenings and glamorous events, life in Dubai often seems a dream.Many were jolted from this dream on Feb. 28, when the United Arab Emirates found itself in Iran’s crosshairs after the U.S.-Israel launched a war against the Islamic Republic. More than 2,000 Iranian missiles and drones struck the Emirates — Tehran’s main target alongside Israel — killing seven people and wounding 145 others over nearly two weeks. Missed this? What could end the war in Iran? Four possible scenarios In the...
Luxury, calm and indulgence. That's what Dubai has long promised the world — with its dazzling skyline full of high-rises and the towering Burj Khalifa. The city attracts both the wealthy and ambitious young professionals, drawn as much by minimal taxation as by its quality of life. Between fine sandy beaches, sophisticated brunches, gala evenings and glamorous events, life in Dubai often seems a dream.Many were jolted from this dream on Feb. 28, when the United Arab Emirates found itself in Iran’s crosshairs after the U.S.-Israel launched a war against the Islamic Republic. More than 2,000 Iranian missiles and drones struck the Emirates — Tehran’s main target alongside Israel — killing seven people and wounding 145 others over nearly two weeks. Missed this? What could end the war in Iran? Four possible scenarios In...
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