Why the UAE walked away from OPEC (opens in new tab)

The United Arab Emirates’ decision to leave OPEC after nearly 60 years marks a major shift in the global oil order. Officially framed as an economic decision, the move reflects Abu Dhabi’s frustration with production limits, its push to monetize oil reserves and a changing energy market where non-OPEC+ producers are gaining influence. But the timing also points to deeper geopolitical forces: the Iran war, shifting Gulf alliances and Abu Dhabi’s closer alignment with the U.S.