US-UAE expands military cooperation despite disagreements over the war in Sudan and as Middle East tension over the Gaza War rises.

As deadly tensions in the Middle East rise, US President Joe Biden has acknowledged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a "major defense partner," strengthening military cooperation despite disagreements over the war in Sudan. Following a meeting between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday, the UAE military alliance became the second country to have the title. India received the designation in 2021 from the Biden administration.

The White House said that the designation would "further improve defense cooperation especially security in the Indian Ocean regions, the Middle East, and East Africa" in a statement.

In order to improve regional security, it further stated that it would enable hitherto unheard-of levels of US UAE defense cooperation between the armed forces of the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and India as well as other common military partners through cooperative training, exercises, and military-to-military coordination. Israel increased its attacks on Lebanon at the time of the summit.

Israeli attacks on the region on Monday resulted in the deaths of at least 492 individuals, including 35 children. The Israelis claimed that their operations were directed at Hezbollah's military infrastructure.

During a press conference at the Oval Office, Biden informed a journalist that their team is in continuous communication with their counterparts and is striving to defuse the situation so that individuals can safely go back to their homes.

A US State Department source added, speaking behind closed doors to reporters on Monday, that US officials will be discussing "concrete ideas" for an "off-ramp" this week at the UN General Assembly. Washington has frequently faced criticism for not using its influence to reduce tensions in the region, even though it has provided Israel with military aid worth billions of dollars.