All of this discussion is rather interesting, and I guess the UAE can, in the end, claim a "moral victory," seeing as Canada has now withdrawn the majority of its troops from Afghanistan (as of this month) with the remaining few returning home by December 2011.
What do I mean about a UAE "moral victory?" Well, let us not forget the recent history in relations between the UAE and Afghanistan. Although in control of Afghanistan's capital,Kabul, and most of the country for five years, the Taliban's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan gained diplomatic recognition from only three states: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. After the attacks of September 11 2001 the Taliban regime was overthrown by Operation Enduring Freedom.
Canada's role in Afghanistan was part of a larger international coalition from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic, Norway, Bulgaria, and many other members of the European Union as well Turkey, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Singapore and a few other non-NATO members to attempt to restore some form of normality and security to a historically victimized country. In light of the broad international effort and unbeknownst to many, the UAE did send a small contingent of aid to the battered country. However given its wealth, close proximity to the country, token-support post-Taliban and its questionable support of the Taliban during their stay in power it is fair to question where the UAE's core values lay in all of this.