The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to top the list of Middle East lobbying spenders as it seeks to consolidate its status as one of America’s closest strategic allies in the region.
The Gulf nation spent $13.5 million last year — on par with 2014 — on an array of influence peddlers and public relations experts, according to a review of financial disclosures. The spending spree has helped the country cement its military partnership with the United States while heading off US-based threats to its world-beating airline industry.