Actually I have a soft spot for the ex Iraqi Information Minister.
I expect to see him on Letterman any day now.
As for this thread.
It depends on your attitude to a new place and how adaptable you are.
I have lived in ME and know DXB well. I have not lived there, but nevertheless like it very much.
Yes it has its faults but so does everywhere else. Nowhere is perfect, especially if you are looking for faults.
IMHO you could do a lot worse. Good advice though to take the missus to look first. My wife and kids loved the ME and we were all very sorry to leave.
I thought about retiring there, but it was not to be.