The confidence of the distant observer is always a marvel, pronouncing one’s safety as mere “luck” while waving away the very mechanisms that have preserved it. From my vantage point here in Dubai, where distant sounds of missiles being intercepted remind us constantly that vigilance is no luxury, allow me a measured reply grounded in what’s actually unfolding.

The assertion that Iran confines its efforts solely to American military bases and a few other strategic locations is accurate here in Dubai at the moment, but incomplete. The military bases here house real people; sons, fathers, daughters, mothers, and colleagues who face acute and immediate perils as primary targets in these barrages, enduring heightened risks and fear that many of us farther from such sites can only imagine. We all share the unease when alerts sound, knowing the situation remains unpredictable and targets can shift at any moment. We see that recent barrages in other locations have extended beyond military sites so we are fully aware. We also know that just because you are not a target, does not mean danger is not around the corner, especially when living in times where many countries have nuclear. No one is untouched by this, and I find it regrettable to brush off such human cost as mere “luck”. True safety isn’t a matter of fortunate targeting; it’s fragile for civilians and service members alike, and pretending otherwise diminishes the very real risks we all navigate.

I remain calm trusting the authorities will issue clear and timely alerts so we can take appropriate shelter if needed. I will do all I can to stay composed yet vigilant, following guidance to minimize risks where possible. I do not attribute my presence here or these events to mere luck; it is informed awareness, reliance on effective defenses and communication, timing (smallest bit of luck here), and quiet confidence in the systems protecting everyone. I will do all that I can, but, if it is my time, then it is my time, no matter where I am.

Regarding the air defenses you ‘dismissed as “pathetic patriot interceptor missiles” that supposedly inflict more civilian harm than they prevent’, the record speaks otherwise. UAE authorities, employing a layered system including Patriots, THAAD, and others, have achieved interception rates frequently cited in the high 90s across hundreds of incoming ballistic missiles and drones. Most threats are neutralized high above, sparing the city far worse devastation. Yes, successful interceptions produce debris, and in high-volume scenarios some fragments inevitably fall, causing regrettable damage and injuries, a grim but known trade-off in modern air warfare. Without these systems operating at such effectiveness, the alternative would be unchecked impacts on densely built areas, with consequences orders of magnitude higher for civilians and military personnel alike. The defenses are not perfect, but they have demonstrably shielded far more lives and infrastructure than any collateral from fragments has harmed.

My presence here stems not from pure luck, but from confidence in a government that has communicated transparently, mobilized robust protections, and maintained remarkable order amid pressure. Daily routines persist, cafes open, deliveries arrive because we must still live, people move about, because the response has been professional and proportionate. I trust those on the front lines far more than armchair tallies from afar.

Obviously, should Iran decide to expand their missile targets, the authorities here will alert us promptly, and we would not then head to the beach for a deep calming breath or sit at a cafe for a friend’s birthday. So this is not me being “lucky”; this is me understanding where I am, what I can do about it, and my trust in the government here.

When the skies quiet (and they will), come see the resilience firsthand. It’s quieter, steadier, and more convincing than the narratives suggest.