The UAE’s economy — the Mideast Gulf’s second-largest — is reeling from the conflict with Iran. Iranian missile strikes have targeted vital energy infrastructure and disrupted core sectors like tourism, finance and logistics, undermining the nation’s image of stability. Despite this, government and industry leaders struck a defiant tone at an Abu Dhabi conference this week, signaling a pivot toward higher domestic spending to bolster manufacturing and self-sufficiency, funded by revenues from increased crude production as it embarks on a post-Opec era.