Emirates’ balance of power affected by crisis

Dubai and other emirates may be talking up the apparently limited impact of the global economic crisis and triumph of federal unity, but many analysts believe the fallout from the credit crunch will further alter inter-emirate relations. A possible consequence of Abu Dhabi bailing out Dubai could be the loss of its independent foreign policy, according to Jim Krane, author of the new City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism – and this will also affect business relations.