Russia’s power projection and its receptivity in the UAE

Abstract

This study aims to explore and categorize the perspectives of Emirati youth regarding the evolving UAE-Russia relationship. It focuses on understanding how various factors—such as travel experiences, cultural exposure, trust in Russian business partners, perceptions of diplomatic relations, and sources of information—shape their openness to strategic narratives. A quantitative research approach was adopted, with structured surveys distributed via SurveyMonkey resulting in 112 responses from Emirati students from Khalifa University in the UAE. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, applying descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses to identify key patterns and relationships. The findings reveal that travel experiences, cultural engagement, and perceptions of UAE-Russia relations play a significant role in influencing Emirati youth’s support for ties with Russia. Trust in Russian business partners also has a notable but moderate impact, while media sources were found to have a comparatively weaker influence. These insights contribute to the broader theoretical understanding of strategic narratives and diplomacy, offering valuable empirical evidence for policymakers and business leaders looking to enhance UAE-Russia cooperation.

Date of Award	Apr 2025
Original language	American English
Supervisor	SIM Sim (Supervisor)