Martin Edelman: The Manhattan Power Broker Shaping U.S.-UAE Relations

Watan-As Abu Dhabi seeks to deepen its strategic partnerships with Washington, the name Martin Edelman, a seasoned Jewish-American lawyer, has emerged as a pivotal behind-the-scenes figure in shaping U.S.-UAE relations—especially during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Edelman (83), dubbed “Manhattan’s man in Abu Dhabi” in political and financial circles, went from being a New York real estate lawyer to a trusted advisor to the UAE’s royal family and a key facilitator of major deals spanning football to artificial intelligence.

From New York to the Gulf

Born into a liberal Jewish family in New York, Edelman studied at Princeton and Columbia Law School. His career began writing speeches for U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy and later serving in the Vietnam War.

After returning, he entered the real estate world, famously striking a deal with baseball legend Jackie Robinson—a stepping stone to a long career in high finance.

His turning point came in 2002, during a Gulf tour with U.S. General Tommy Franks, which led to his first ties with Abu Dhabi. There, he built close relationships with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and his brother Tahnoun bin Zayed, who saw in Edelman a rare intermediary fluent in both Western and Gulf cultures.

Behind Closed Doors in Abu Dhabi

Edelman was quietly appointed a special advisor to the UAE government—an unusual status for a foreigner—and was later granted Emirati citizenship.

Since then, he’s been instrumental in numerous high-profile deals for Abu Dhabi, including:

• The purchase of Manchester City Football Club (2008)

• The establishment of NYU Abu Dhabi (2010)

• Strategic partnerships in AI and chip technology with firms like G42 and Royal Group

• Pursuit of investments in NVIDIA’s semiconductors

Trump’s Channel to the Emirates

Thanks to his extensive network, Edelman has remained a vital informal channel between U.S. and Gulf capitals.

He holds strong ties with figures across the spectrum—from the Kennedy family and George Soros to a longstanding friendship with Donald Trump, dating back to their 1980s real estate days.

This unique position enabled Edelman to help organize Trump’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi, where the two sides signed a strategic AI partnership—including a 5-gigawatt computing and energy hub, according to UAE state media.

AI Diplomacy and Digital Investment

Under the agreement, the U.S. will facilitate advanced tech transfers to the UAE, while Abu Dhabi commits to American security protocols.

The deal also establishes a joint task force to oversee implementation and launch direct Emirati investment into U.S. digital infrastructure.

This effort was formalized with the launch of the UAE-U.S. Business Dialogue in Abu Dhabi, attended by President Trump and Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed.

The Royal Court’s “Problem Solver”

Edelman is seen as a non-partisan, trusted negotiator capable of navigating complex global dynamics.

His longtime friend and Trump advisor Steve Witkoff says: “Marty’s secret is trust. He’s not seen as political, just as a problem solver.”

Edelman splits his time between New York and Abu Dhabi, often starting his day at 4:30 AM, engaging in meetings that span from royal councils to Manhattan tech giants.

Thanks to his unique role and far-reaching connections, Edelman has become one of the most influential figures in the quiet architecture of UAE-Western relations, embodying Abu Dhabi’s strategic ambitions across economy, technology, and diplomacy.

As global powers scramble for a share of Abu Dhabi’s wealth, the “Manhattan Man” remains at the center of decision-making.