Well, we are in the Middle East and close to Iran (it's just across the Gulf). I wouldn't say that being here is without risk, but the rulers of the UAE are politically astuste and endeavour to keep on the right side of the relevant people.

Sadly, these days there are risks everywhere, including in New York and London, as some of us have experienced, and you have to make a judgement call. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of terrist attack in the UAE, and Dubai specifically, one day, but there are nutcases everywhere and my view if that as long as you take a sensible approach, you cannot let people like that run your life. Unfortunately, too many people have a 'knee jerk' reaction to the words Middle East.

On a day to day basis, I believe that living in Dubai is generally safer than in much of the UK, the driving not withstanding. Crime rates are certainly much lower.