United Arab Republic (UAR) and the establishment of fruitful connections with the Ukrainian diaspora are key aspects of the cultural development of Ukraine in the new millenium One of the sharpest debates in the context of cultural development is the discussion of an official language of Ukraine It was demonstrated in the presidential election of 2004 and the parliamentary election of 2006 that a strong Russian-speaking opposition still exists in Ukraine The activation of religious life in independent Ukraine after the dismantling of a totalitarian ideology brought a series of conflicts, first of all among representatives of different branches of Orthodox Christianity As stated by the constitution of Ukraine, the nonobligatory character of any religion creates the background necessary for religious pluralism and freedom of people’s consciousness See also Soviet Union, dissolution of the Further reading: Dyczok, M Ukraine: Movement Without Change, Change Without Movement Amsterdam: Harwood Academic, 2000; Hal’chyns’kyi, A Pomarancheva revoliutsiia i nova vlada [Orange revolution and new power] Kyïv: Lybid, 2005; Kuzio, T., ed Contemporary Ukraine: Dynamics of Post-Soviet Transformation New York: M.E Sharpe, 1998; Pogrebinskii, M Oranzhevaia” revoliutsiia: versii, khronika, dokumenty [Orange revolution: versions, chronicles, documents] Kiev: Optima, 2005; Szporluk, R Russia, Ukraine, and the Breakup of the Soviet Union Stanford, Ca: Hoover Institution Press, 2000 Olena V Smyntyna United Arab Emirates (UAE) The United Arab Emirates (UAE), an oil-rich Arab country, is located on the southeast side of the Arabian Peninsula This country, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia, comprises seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Al Fujayrah, Ras al-Khaymah, Shariqah, and Um Al Qaywayn Formerly known as the Trucial States, a term dating from the 19th-century agreement between British and Arab leaders, the UAE was created when six of the emirates merged in 1971; Ras al-Khaymah joined in 1972 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan served as president from the country’s founding until his death in 2004 His son, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, succeeded as president The Supreme Council comprises the individual rulers of the seven emirates, and the president and vice president are elected by the council 437 every five years The position of the presidency is an unofficial hereditary post for the Al Nahyan family The council also elects the Council of Ministers and an appointed Federal National Council reviews legislation The federal court system includes all the emirates except Dubai and Ras Al-Khaymah All of the emirates have a mix of secular law and sharia (Islamic law) with civil, criminal, and high courts The UAE is a member of the United Nations and the Arab League, and has diplomatic relationships with more than 60 countries It plays a moderate role in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) The UAE plays a vital role in the affairs of the region because of its massive foreign development and moderate foreign policy positions Unlike its neighbors, the UAE, under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed, promotes religious tolerance Sheikh Zayed also encouraged foreign development and investment The UAE is one of the largest producers of oil, after Saudi Arabia and Iran, in the Middle East Since its formation, the UAE has transformed from an impoverished desert country to a modern, wealthy country Zayed invested the country’s oil revenues in hospitals, schools, and universities and gave all citizens free and universal access to these public services He distributed free land and held majlis (traditional Arab consultation councils) that were open to the public Zayed was a contemporary liberal who advocated for women’s rights and for the education and participation of women in the work force Education was one of the most significant achievements in the rapid transformation of the UAE The country boasts numerous universities and colleges and hundreds of schools Further reading: Anthony, John Duke Arab States of the Lower Gulf: People, Politics, Petroleum Washington, DC: Middle East Institute, 1975; Peck, Malcolm C The United Arab Emirates: A Venture in Unity Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1986; Vine, Peter, and Paula Casey United Arab Emirates: Profile of a Country’s Heritage and Modern Development London: Immel, 1992 Julie Eadeh United Arab Republic (UAR) The United Arab Republic, a union of Egypt and Syria, lasted from 1958 to 1961 As Syrian political parties on