The United Arab Emirates is a hot destination for American veterans looking for jobs abroad, as the small Gulf state employs foreign consultants and mercenaries to bolster its military forces.
Hiring American Retired Soldiers
In the past seven years, 280 American veterans have requested permission from the U.S. government to work in the United Arab Emirates, a number significantly higher than any other country, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act.
Many generals who succeeded in U.S. wars in the Middle East have worked as military advisors or contractors for the UAE, including retired General Jim Mattis, who was a military advisor to the UAE before becoming defense secretary in the Trump administration.
Impact on U.S. Policy
The influx of retired American military leaders selling their expertise to a foreign power, with the approval of the Department of Defense and the State Department, has helped the small but oil-rich UAE build the strongest military force in the Arab world.
However, this development has affected U.S. national interests, as the UAE’s military power enhancement has guided it to send its forces to Yemen and Libya, exacerbating the civil wars in both countries.
Meanwhile, Congress and human rights organizations in Washington have become more critical of the UAE, including its decision this month to ally with Russia and other countries in the OPEC Plus cartel to cut global oil production. Additionally, the Department of Justice has scrutinized the leaders of the state due to their interference in U.S. elections and politics.
Impact on U.S. Policy
Federal laws prohibit retired military personnel as well as reservists from accepting jobs or gifts from foreign governments without approval from the Department of State and the Department of Defense. The purpose is to prevent veterans from becoming tied to foreign powers or undermining U.S. interests. These laws apply to retirees – generally defined as those who have served for at least 20 years and receive a pension – as they can be called back to active duty.
The military and the State Department declined requests for interviews from The Washington Post. In a written response to questions, the State Department stated that it evaluates job requests based on whether it “will adversely affect the
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/uae-military-us-veterans/?itid=mr_investigations_5
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