I can tell you from working in the UAE, they made the decision to be a “pragmatic” partner with the US a number of years ago. Most Americans could visit Abu Dhabi and have a nice week of western life including alcohol, pork and bikinis at the pool. ;). The F1 race track is very nice too.
The UAE is the main home of the Maliki Branch of Islam, one of those few off-shots which is genuinely tolerant.