On February 24, satellite imagery of Dubai showed ordered highways, glittering towers and artificial islands. By March 1, the picture had changed. Fresh satellite pictures revealed dark plumes of smoke rising over parts of the skyline. The images emerged as Iran fired a barrage of drones and missiles across the Gulf in retaliation for United States and Israeli strikes. For decades, Dubai has been perceived, particularly by expatriates, as a refuge from instability elsewhere in the Middle East. Arabs escaping conflict zones, Western professionals drawn by low taxes and business opportunities, and investors seeking predictable regulation have all contributed to a population in which expatriates make up around 90 per cent of residents. That perception has now been shaken.
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