In a striking intervention at the Munich Security Conference, prominent Republican Senator Lindsey Graham issued a blunt directive to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to immediately cease hostilities with the United Arab Emirates. The senator’s unusually forceful language highlighted growing American concern over the deepening rift between two critical Gulf allies.
“Knock it off Saudi Arabia, knock it off. I’m tired of this crap,” Graham declared during Friday evening’s session, specifically referencing criticisms leveled by Saudi commentators against UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ). The senator vehemently defended the Emirati leader, stating “MBZ is not a Zionist,” while warning that the ongoing conflict was inadvertently strengthening Iran’s regional position.
The tensions have been fueled by substantial policy divergences, particularly regarding the UAE’s continued partnership with Israel amid the Gaza conflict. While most Arab capitals have isolated Israel following UN allegations of genocide with over 72,000 casualties, the UAE has maintained normalized relations established through the 2021 Abraham Accords.
According to Middle East Eye reports, the UAE has allegedly pressured pro-Israel lobbying organizations, including the American Jewish Committee with offices in Abu Dhabi, to condemn Saudi Arabia for purported antisemitism—a charge Saudi academics have vigorously denied as politically motivated manipulation.
The fracture extends beyond diplomatic spats to active proxy conflicts across the region. In Yemen, Saudi Arabia has moved to expel UAE forces and their local proxies following December’s counter-offensive. Simultaneously, the Red Sea region has become another flashpoint, with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt supporting the Sudanese army against the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group—a conflict that has displaced 2.5 million people and claimed approximately 300,000 lives amid widespread allegations of war crimes.
Despite these tensions, Western and Arab diplomats indicate both nations are attempting to manage relations, avoiding a complete breakdown similar to the 2017 Qatar blockade. Notably, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended a Munich event alongside UAE diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash, suggesting ongoing communication channels.
Graham, a close Trump ally and staunch Israel supporter, emphasized the broader strategic imperative: “We gotta think big picture.” He advocated for sustained US military engagement against Iran, warning that withdrawal would constitute a historic error “far worse than the Syrian redline” or Afghanistan.