Delivered by Intellect to: Guest (guest) IP: 98.209.118.53 On: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 05:12:29 JGS 1 (1) pp. 59–79 Intellect Limited 2024 Journal of Gulf Studies Volume 1 Number 1 www.intellectbooks.com 59 © 2024 Intellect Ltd Article. English language. https://doi.org/10.1386/jgs_00004_1 Received 30 March 2023; Accepted 9 October 2023; Published Online January 2024 JUAN COLE University of Michigan Terraforming Yemen: Geoeconomic imperialism, the UAE and the southern secessionists ABSTRACT This article argues that the intervention in Yemen (2015–present) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) exemplified a new phenomenon, of postmodern small-state imperialism enabled by globalized, extra-European capital flows. The particular tactic deployed for these imperial purposes was terraforming, which had a tangi- ble effect on the country’s geopolitical map. It involved a complex web of ground troops, support for surrogates and mercenaries, economic investments, and stra- tegic concentration on securing the entire Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden littoral. This effort had the positive goal of securing westward oil exports by the UAE and of creating a marine security environment conducive to Emirati administration of the port of Aden. Especially post-2019, it is argued, the UAE did not merely opportunistically pursue its STC policy under the wings of Saudi Arabia but rather confronted its larger partner, bombing Saudi proxies at key moments and acting more like a rival than a bandwagoning ally. This Emirati enterprise was shaped by the interests of Abu Dhabi and its local proxies rather than by US or European imperialism, though it sufficiently accorded with US policy to receive no pushback from Washington. KEYWORDS Gulf and Arabian Peninsula studies Gulf Cooperation Council Middle East studies Gulf studies Arab Gulf identity postcolonial theory Persian Gulf national security