Dubai a clear winner in the Arab Spring

Almost 2 years ago now I had mused that Dubai specifically and the UAE in general would benefit from the Arab spring.  I wasn't wrong in the least. Not only are they benefiting from the instabilities in the Arab world but also from the war in Afghanistan.

The rate of growth isn't the same as before the 2006 crash but it is one of the few places in the world where construction and crazy projects are booming again. 

This isn't new. Dubai is a prime vacation destination for anyone with money in the region. It's one of the few places that benefit from stability even though it's system is really crappy. The way workers are treated like slaves and yet if you are a Westerner from the US, Canada or Europe you can benefit and live really comfortably so long as you have a contract and employer.

I still think Dubai can be called the Las Vegas of the Arab world. It's still very much a place where everything isn't what it appears to be. 

Which reminds me I interviewed 2 students from Dubai this spring.  One was from an ex-pat family, probably from India, and while it was obvious he grew up somewhat privileged in Dubai, he seemed to have a good grasp of life outside Dubai. The 2nd one was visibly the son of a well-off Emirati family with no sense of how to behave.  My colleague asked him how he found Montreal and in front of a female interviewer went on to make vulgar signs and comments about the lusciousness of Montreal women.  The comment actually disturbed my male colleague who used to be a player before he settled down!!!! It was obvious that kid had never had to interview for a job in his life and had no idea how to behave because he's never had to care!   I wonder how a female from Dubai would interview?!?