Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan

Position: Crown Prince, Abu Dhabi

Biography: As crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan has seen his role in influencing policy increase of late, as he prepares for the day when he becomes head of state. He is chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, which in 2011 conducted a review of capital projects planned for the emirate.

A graduate of UK military academy Sandhurst, Sheikh Mohammed was the moving force behind the UAE Offset Group, which established Mubadala Development Company, the body leading the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s economy.

He is said to be hostile towards Iran and was cited by whistleblowing website Wikileaks as being in favour of a preemptive strike on the Islamic Republic. Sheikh Mohammed is the third son of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, founder of the UAE, and brother of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the current ruler of Abu Dhabi, who is understood to be in ill health.