The Emirates Policy Center

The Emirates Policy Center (EPC) is a prominent independent think tank based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, focusing on geopolitical and strategic issues affecting the Arabian Gulf region and the broader Arab world.

Overview

EPC was established to study internal and external threats to nation-states in the Arabian Gulf and the Arab world. It aims to analyze and forecast the impacts of geopolitical developments and shifts in the global balance of power on the UAE and the region. EPC provides strategic analysis, policy papers, and risk assessments to support decision-makers, with a priority on the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The center also organizes strategic debates and forums to anticipate regional and international policy trends (Emirates Policy Center [EPC], n.d.-a; LinkedIn, 2025).

Location

EPC is headquartered in Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (LinkedIn, 2025; EPC, n.d.-a).

History, Establishment, and Founders

The Emirates Policy Center was established in September 2013 during the period of regional upheaval known as the “Arab Spring.” It was founded to address the growing need for informed policy research on the geopolitical challenges facing the Gulf and Arab states. While specific individual founders are not publicly listed, EPC operates as an independent nonprofit think tank supported by the UAE government and affiliated institutions. It reflects Abu Dhabi’s strategic interest in enhancing policy research and regional security analysis (EPC, n.d.-a; LinkedIn, 2025).

Financial Sponsors

EPC is primarily supported by the government of Abu Dhabi and related UAE institutions, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to advancing strategic policy research. It functions as a nonprofit entity, with funding likely derived from government sources and partnerships with regional and international organizations (EPC, n.d.-a).

Website and Contact Information

• Website: https://epc.ae
• Headquarters: Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Contact details are available on the official website under the “Contact Us” section (EPC, n.d.-a).

Prominent Research Figures

Key figures at EPC include:

• Dr. Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, Founder and President of EPC, a prominent expert on Gulf security and regional geopolitics.
• Dr. Anwar Gargash, Senior Fellow, former UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, known for his expertise in foreign policy and regional affairs.
• Dr. Salem Al Ketbi, Senior Analyst specializing in Gulf politics and security.
• Other senior researchers and fellows with expertise in international relations, security studies, and economic policy contribute to EPC’s research output (Emirates Policy Center [EPC], n.d.-b).

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

EPC’s research focuses on:

• Geopolitical and security challenges facing the UAE, GCC, and the Arab world.
• Regional conflicts, counterterrorism, and extremism.
• International relations, including US, China, Russia, and European Union policies in the Middle East.
• Economic diversification and energy market dynamics.
• Social and demographic trends impacting national security and development.
• Strategic foresight on regional and global policy trends affecting the Gulf (EPC, n.d.-a; ECSSR, 2024).

Relations to the Islamic World

EPC actively studies political, security, and social developments within the Islamic world, particularly in the Gulf and Arab countries. It addresses issues such as religious extremism, sectarian tensions, and the role of Islamic identity in regional politics. EPC’s work supports UAE’s positioning as a moderate Islamic state promoting stability and countering radicalism. Its research often explores how Islamic political dynamics intersect with broader geopolitical trends (EPC, n.d.-a; ECSSR, 2024).

Publishing / Significant Reports

EPC regularly publishes strategic reports, policy papers, and risk assessments that analyze regional security, economic challenges, and international relations. Notable publications include:

• Annual risk assessment reports on Gulf security.
• Studies on the impact of great power competition in the Middle East.
• Analyses of sectarianism, extremism, and social cohesion in the Arab world.
• Policy recommendations to UAE and regional governments (EPC, n.d.-a; LinkedIn, 2025).

Impacts and Partnerships from Iran’s Perspective

From Iran’s viewpoint, EPC’s work is often seen within the context of UAE’s geopolitical stance, which is generally aligned with Gulf Arab states wary of Iranian regional influence. EPC’s analyses frequently address Iran’s role in regional conflicts and its nuclear and military ambitions. While EPC does not publicly disclose formal partnerships with Iranian institutions, its research and policy recommendations contribute to shaping GCC and UAE policies that directly impact Iran’s regional relations. EPC’s work supports UAE’s strategic efforts to counterbalance Iran’s influence through diplomatic, economic, and security measures (EPC, n.d.-a; ECSSR, 2024).

Critique and Hidden Objectives

1. Perceived Alignment with Anti-Iran Policies

EPC is often viewed in Iran as an institution that reflects and supports the UAE’s cautious but firm stance against Iran’s regional influence. Iranian analysts criticize EPC’s analyses for emphasizing Iran’s “interference” in regional conflicts (Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon) and framing Iran as a destabilizing actor, which aligns with UAE’s security concerns but is seen by Iran as biased or one-sided (Emirates Policy Center [EPC], 2024; Washington Institute, 2024).

2. Support for UAE’s Balancing Act Favoring Western and Israeli Interests

Iranian perspectives highlight that EPC’s work supports the UAE’s strategic balancing between maintaining ties with Israel and the United States while managing its complex relationship with Iran. This balancing act is seen as a form of geopolitical maneuvering that sidelines Iran’s interests and portrays Iran as a threat to regional stability (Carnegie Endowment, 2022; Washington Institute, 2024).

3. Skepticism over UAE’s Role as a Neutral Mediator

Despite recent rapprochement efforts, Iranian critiques remain skeptical about the UAE’s ability to serve as an honest broker in regional diplomacy, partly because EPC publications and UAE officials often underscore Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” and proxy networks as security threats. This framing is perceived as limiting genuine dialogue and maintaining pressure on Iran (Stimson Center, 2025).

4. Hidden Objective: Geopolitical Influence and Containment of Iran

From Iran’s viewpoint, EPC serves as a policy tool to justify and promote UAE’s efforts to contain Iran’s regional ambitions through intelligence, diplomatic pressure, and alignment with Western-led sanctions and security policies. EPC’s research outputs are seen as part of a broader campaign to shape international and regional opinion against Iran (EPC, 2024; Dawn, 2025).

5. Concerns about Normalization with Israel

Iranian critiques often link EPC’s work to the UAE’s normalization of relations with Israel, viewing it as a strategic move that undermines Muslim solidarity and isolates Iran further. EPC’s support for this policy is interpreted as part of a hidden agenda to marginalize Iran politically and economically in the region (Carnegie Endowment, 2022).

Summary

Iran perceives the Emirates Policy Center as an extension of UAE’s geopolitical strategy that views Iran as a regional threat. EPC’s analyses and policy recommendations are seen as supporting containment and delegitimization of Iran’s regional role, reflecting broader UAE policies that balance between engagement and confrontation with Tehran.