Intro
Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
Chapter 1: Small States Theory and the Failing Process of Normative Analysis
Introduction
Theorizing the Sophistry: Mind the Gap
Small States: Trend, Theory, or Approach?
Beyond the Small States Theory
Beyond Small States Theory
Comparison Between the States
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Smart Instead of Small: Which Are the Different Variables That Make a State Act Smart?
Introduction
Systemic Naivety Versus the Systemic Perceptive State
The Anti-Blanche DuBois State
The Right to Pursue Happiness

Invest in Technology
Progressive Leadership
National Unity
Unconventional Diplomacy
Conclusion
Chapter 3: From Oblivion to Modernity: The UAE's Smart Birth
Introduction
The British and the Trucial States
The Years of Dust
The Crossing of the Rubicon
A Smart Start
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Smart Leadership: The Cases of Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Introduction
Leadership Theory and Politics
Lead Rationally
Lead by Example
Lead to Collective Happiness
Two Contemporary Styles of Leadership in the UAE

Mohamed bin Zayed: Leading from the Front
Hamdan bin Mohamed al Maktoum: Leading as a World-Class Influencer
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Smart States Act Positively in the International Arena: The UAE Case
Introduction
Foreign Policy: A General Atheoretical Discussion
A Positive Regional Actor
The Establishment of the GCC
The Greek-Emirati Defense Agreement
The Abraham Accords
A Positive International Actor
The Systemic Interconnector
US-Emirati Relations
Russian-Emirati Relations
Sino-Emirati Relations
The Systemic Interconnector
Conclusion

Chapter 6: Beyond Smart Power: Tolerance as a Source of Smart Ontology
Introduction
It's a Beautiful Day
The Importance of Soft Power in Contemporary International Politics
The UAE Smart Power
From Smart Power to Smart Ontology
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Internal and External Challenges for the Years to Come
Introduction
Internal Challenges: The Economic Dimension Versus Domestic Societal Stability
The Case of the Emiratis' Radicalization
The Case of the Expatriates' Radicalization
The Gold and the White Collars
The Pink, Black, and Blue Collars

The New Citizens' Challenge
The Challenge of National Unity
External Challenges: Systemic Developments and Regional Conundrums
The Systemic Transition: From Multipolarity to Bipolar Multilateralism
The Indian Case
The Russian Case
The Chinese and the American Cases
The Systemic Transition to Bipolar Multilateralism
The Positioning Challenge in the New Systemic Structure
The Iranian Challenge and Its Proxies
Conclusion
Epilogue
Index