Power Struggle Behind Palace Walls: Inside the Fight for Abu Dhabi’s Throne

Watan-Anyone closely following Emirati affairs understands that what’s happening behind the palace walls of Abu Dhabi goes far beyond foreign entanglements in Sudan or Libya, or controversial investment ventures. At its core lies a growing power struggle within the ruling Al Nahyan family.

Within the ruling elite, a bitter and increasingly visible contest for authority and succession is underway, according to well-informed sources. The latest expression of this conflict came in the form of a New York Times exposé, detailing Mansour bin Zayed’s involvement in sensitive financial and political dealings—a move that many see as an orchestrated attempt to sideline him from the line of succession.

Inside the palace, no one trusts anyone. But everyone agrees on one truth: “The throne is only big enough for one.” As external challenges mount and the UAE’s polished image cracks, internal maneuvering intensifies—with rivals being smeared, weakened, or quietly removed from contention.

Mansour bin Zayed: The Easy Target

The NYT report wasn’t a coincidence or the result of independent journalism. Anyone who understands Abu Dhabi’s political structure knows that such a move signals a deliberate campaign to eliminate Mansour from succession plans.

The accusations about Sudan, Libya, or the 1MDB financial scandal serve as convenient tools for character assassination. In Abu Dhabi, there’s a silent rule:
“When a brother’s file is opened, it’s because a son’s file is being closed elsewhere.”

Mansour, once seen as the UAE’s ‘soft power’ mogul in finance and sports, is now encircled by scandal and reputational damage. Never truly accepted by either the ruling family or Western allies as a serious successor, he has become the most expendable figure in the succession chessboard.

Tahnoun bin Zayed: The Delayed Heir

But the succession battle doesn’t stop with Mansour. Tahnoun bin Zayed, the president’s powerful brother, once seen as a top contender to lead the UAE, has also faced quiet setbacks.

Tahnoun amassed unprecedented influence—over security, digital surveillance, and the country’s massive sovereign wealth operations. However, his involvement in scandals like Pegasus spyware and sensitive U.S. tech deals angered Washington and complicated his image abroad.

Though momentarily weakened, Tahnoun remains a potent player. He has tactically withdrawn into the background, biding time, possibly waiting for a crack in the current succession plan that favors Khaled bin Mohamed, son of the current president.

Khaled bin Mohamed: The Chosen Son

Since Khaled was named Crown Prince in March 2023, palace dynamics have shifted radically. Brotherhood, legacy, and power-sharing no longer matter—only one goal dominates: securing a smooth transfer of power to the president’s son.

Khaled, young and untainted by past violence, is being rebranded as the future of the UAE. Power has been quietly centralized in his hands, with rivals like Tahnoun distanced from core portfolios.

However, transferring power in Abu Dhabi isn’t just about issuing a decree—it requires clearing the path of rivals. Thus, timed leaks, targeted scandals, and international media coverage become weapons of internal warfare. In this context, Western media becomes a tool of palace intrigue, sending clear messages to insiders and foreign allies: “This man is out—or on his way out.”

Mansour’s Fall Is Just the Beginning

The media takedown of Mansour bin Zayed marks only the start of a longer game. Political removal often follows public shaming, through reduced responsibilities, financial downgrading, or social isolation.

In Abu Dhabi’s rigid power system, no one is left with influence for long once sidelined. However, the throne remains unclaimed, and Tahnoun bin Zayed is still a formidable presence with deep-rooted security and financial influence. He may yet re-emerge, especially if doubts over Khaled’s readiness grow.

Tahnoun, like many inside the palace, views Khaled as inexperienced, lacking the gravitas to lead a regional powerhouse.

From Whispers to Headlines: The Succession Is No Longer a Secret

Today, the succession battle in Abu Dhabi is no longer hidden, nor whispered about in elite circles. It is front-page material. With every new leak or document, the power struggle between brothers and the crown prince unfolds further, in a bid to hold the keys to the palace when Mohamed bin Zayed eventually steps aside.

Until then, the UAE remains locked in a dangerous equation:“No one trusts anyone — but there’s only one throne.”