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A new form of state-sponsored nationalism is rapidly taking root inside the two most powerful Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Whether it be efforts to maintain high oil prices, the introduction of domestic mega projects, ventures into global sports, or increased outreach to Russia and China, almost all domestic and foreign policies the Saudi and UAE governments have pursued can be traced back to these nationalist strategies. Directed primarily toward a burgeoning youth population, these programs are top-down efforts to restructure…
