Dubai Press Club session explores political narratives and media discourse amid regional geopolitical shifts

Rasha Abdel Moneim, Emirates 24/7 Dubai: A discussion session bringing together His Excellency Dr Sultan Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, and Hamed bin Karam, Editor‑in‑Chief of Al Bayan newspaper, offered an in‑depth forward‑looking analysis of the concept of “narrative” and its political use. The session was organised by the Dubai Press Club at its headquarters in Dubai under the title “Geopolitical Developments in the Region and Their Impact on Media Discourse.” Dr Al Nuaimi explained that narratives in today’s world have moved beyond the role of conveying “raw news” to become an integrated methodological framework aimed at directly influencing public convictions and perceptions. He stressed that a successful media narrative is built around a structured storyline targeting specific audience segments—through newspapers, radio, and television—transforming events from mere information into stories with strategic impact. The war of minds: Confrontation in the field of national awareness Addressing the concept of the “war of narratives,” Dr Al Nuaimi stated that the UAE faces a parallel “war of minds” alongside material threats such as missiles and drones. He emphasised that rebuilding physical infrastructure is achievable, but the greater and more dangerous challenge lies in attempts to “assault awareness” and distort public understanding. He described targeting the UAE with misleading narratives — such as portraying Dubai as a ghost city in 2008 — as a “tax on success,” describing the country as a mirror reflecting the excellence of the Emirati model and its ability to turn challenges into opportunities, which provokes adversaries to attempt to alter national certainties. The semiotics of misinformation: Deconstructing hostile linguistic strategies Dr Al Nuaimi reviewed findings from a specialised study on “the use of language in Iranian media strategy,” explaining how language is politicised to distort reality. He cited specific examples of lexical manipulation, such as using the term “sheikhdom” to imply political backwardness, employing the term “A‘rab” with its negative connotation instead of “Arabs,” and labelling militias as the “legitimate government” while describing recognised governments as having “fled.” He affirmed that the UAE follows an approach of “clarification, not justification,” citing Paulo Coelho’s saying: “Don’t explain yourself; your friends don’t need it, and your enemies won’t believe you.” He stressed that the UAE’s sovereign decisions do not require approval from parties that have already chosen hostility. Press club Strategic independence and sovereign positioning in the energy sector In one of the most sensitive segments, Dr Al Nuaimi emphasised that the UAE adopts the principle of “strategic independence” as a permanent decision aimed at securing its supreme interests, as affirmed by His Excellency Dr Anwar Gargash. He explained that recent national directions in the energy sector and operating beyond traditional frameworks — referencing OPEC — are purely sovereign decisions built on massive investments amounting to USD 120 billion. He criticised inaccurate readings by international news agencies such as Reuters, asserting that applying standards of time and place from three decades ago to the reality of 2026 is a grave mistake, noting that the UAE is a dynamic state practising strategic positioning that serves the interests of its people first and foremost. Societal immunity and loyalty based on absolute conviction Dr Al Nuaimi stressed that the true and final line of defence against media warfare is Emirati society itself. He noted that loyalty in the UAE is based on “absolute conviction” in the leadership’s vision rather than “blind obedience,” highlighting this as a fundamental distinction in the country’s political philosophy. He warned against leaving any “media vacuum” that others could exploit to impose their narratives, commending the national cohesion between citizens and residents — whom he described as “our Emirati people who are non‑citizens” — who have demonstrated genuine belonging to the Emirati model during times of crisis, making everyone in the UAE Emirati in both belonging and meaning. “We will emerge stronger” and credibility as the final principle The session concluded by referencing the slogan of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, “We will emerge stronger,” as a guiding approach, alongside a recommendation to develop long‑term media strategies to counter influence on minds. Dr Al Nuaimi affirmed that the “high credibility” called for by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed is the sole guarantee for dismantling all attempts at distorting facts. He concluded that sustained success and the emergence of specialised national cadres represent a solid barrier against hostile narratives, affirming that, in the end, truth alone prevails.