Influencers in Dubai: safety, the Iran war and the Gulf states’ illusion
Influencers in Dubai: Reza Mehman and Carsten discuss how events in Iran are shattering Dubai’s illusion of safety and what this means for influencers.
The original conversation is in German. This is the complete English translation of the article and edited transcript. The original transcript’s spellings “Carsten” and “Sai Genialchin” are retained. The speakers’ reports and assessments reflect the conversation at the time.
Discussing influencers in Dubai
Influencers in Dubai and the situation in Iran: since the Iran war began, footage of drone attacks has shown projectiles hitting high-rise buildings and hotels in the Gulf states. In this podcast episode, Reza Mehman and his guest Carsten analyse a remarkable phenomenon. Influencers who spent years praising Dubai as paradise initially began asking to be evacuated, then shortly afterwards posted similar, apparently coordinated “Dubai is safe” content. The conversation examines these influencers’ credibility, the strategic catastrophe for the Emirates region, and whether Dubai really is as safe as it is presented.
Summary
One-sentence version: Reza Mehman and Carsten analyse how the Iran war is destroying Dubai’s illusion of safety, and why influencers are nevertheless posting coordinated “Dubai is safe” content.
Three-sentence version: Since the Iran war began, footage described as verified has shown drone attacks on high-rise buildings and hotels in the Gulf states. Influencers who praised Dubai as paradise for years first asked to be evacuated, then posted similar, coordinated “safety” content. Reza and Carsten discuss their credibility and what this means for Dubai’s future as a hotspot.
Five-sentence version: The Iran war has shaken the Gulf states’ supposed safety: footage described as verified shows drones hitting high-rise buildings and hotels in Dubai. Influencers who left Germany and praised Dubai as paradise initially asked for flights back to Germany, then posted similar “Dubai is safe” content using the same images and music. Reza Mehman and Carsten analyse the phenomenon and ask whether these influencers have lost their credibility. The conversation broadens into whether Dubai really is an attractive place to live, or whether security concerns will permanently destroy its appeal. Reza declares himself a Heidelberg fan and says that, despite occasionally being fascinated by Dubai, he wants to remain loyal to his home.
Context: who, what and why
Who is speaking: Reza Mehman is a podcaster and commentator. His guest Carsten is a regular conversation partner who offers another perspective on the situation.
What it is about: The Iran war has triggered drone attacks on the Gulf states. Influencers in Dubai reacted inconsistently: first panic, then coordinated “safety” posts. The conversation analyses this response and Dubai’s future as an influencer hotspot.
Why it matters: For years, Dubai has been a popular destination for German influencers and entrepreneurs who have left Germany. The Iran war fundamentally challenges the region’s promises of safety and shows how quickly circumstances can change.
Three key questions in this episode:
- Why are influencers in Dubai posting coordinated “safety” content despite drone attacks?
- Has the Iran war permanently destroyed Dubai’s appeal?
- What does the situation in Iran mean strategically for the wider Emirates region?
Contents
- Introduction — The situation in Iran and influencers’ response in Dubai
- Summary — A concise summary in three versions
- Context — Who is speaking, what it is about and why it matters
- Topics and context — Social and political themes
- Key points — The episode’s main statements at a glance
- Frequently asked questions — Answers to the main questions
- Highlighted quotes — Standout statements from the episode
- The complete conversation — The edited podcast transcript
- Keywords — Relevant search terms
- Names and terms — Important people and terms in the episode
- Passage for quotation — A ready-to-use text
Topics and context
1. Influencer credibility in a crisis
Influencers who spent years praising Dubai as paradise lose credibility when they first ask to be evacuated in a crisis, then publish coordinated “safety” posts.
Keywords: influencers in Dubai, credibility, crisis, social media
2. The Iran war and safety in the Gulf states
Footage described as verified shows drones hitting high-rise buildings and hotels in Dubai. The strategic catastrophe for the Emirates region is real.
Keywords: Iran war, Dubai safety, Gulf states, drone attacks
3. Germany versus Dubai: the emigration debate
Influencers who left Germany and portrayed Dubai as better now face a question: was it really the right decision?
Keywords: emigrating from Germany, Dubai lifestyle, taxes, quality of life
4. Dubai as a hotspot: fascination and reality
Reza describes his own experience of Dubai: interesting, but also artificial, too hot and culturally shallow. The fascination is real, but security concerns outweigh it.
Keywords: Dubai’s appeal, lifestyle, culture, safety
5. Germany’s response: Wadephul and evacuation
Foreign Minister Wadephul initially acted in an uncoordinated way over evacuating German citizens from the Gulf states.
Keywords: Wadephul, evacuation, foreign policy, Gulf states
Key points from the conversation
- Since the Iran war began, footage described as verified has shown drone attacks on high-rise buildings and hotels in Dubai.
- Influencers in Dubai initially asked to be evacuated to Germany, then posted coordinated “Dubai is safe” content.
- Coordinated posts using the same images and similar music suggest an agreed campaign.
- The Iran war is a complete strategic catastrophe for the wider Emirates region and tourism.
- Dubai also depends on tourism: people who had planned holidays there will put those plans on hold.
- Foreign Minister Wadephul initially acted in an uncoordinated way over evacuation.
- Reza has visited Dubai himself and finds it interesting, but also too hot, artificial and culturally shallow.
- Despite occasionally being fascinated by Dubai, Reza remains loyal to Heidelberg.
- Security concerns arising from the Iran war have permanently changed Dubai’s appeal.
- Influencers who spent years disparaging Germany have lost credibility through their panicked response.
Frequently asked questions
Are influencers in Dubai in danger because of the Iran war?
The episode discusses footage described as verified showing drone attacks on high-rise buildings and hotels in the Gulf states. The Iran war has fundamentally changed the security situation. Many influencers who initially asked to be evacuated then posted coordinated “Dubai is safe” content, calling the credibility of those claims into question.
Why are influencers in Dubai posting coordinated “safety” content?
Reza Mehman and Carsten observe that, after a brief period of panic, influencers published similar posts: the same skyline and beach images, with similar music. They see this as suggesting an agreed campaign, possibly to protect Dubai’s image or justify their own decision to leave Germany.
What does the Iran war mean for tourism in Dubai?
According to Reza Mehman, the Iran war is a complete strategic catastrophe for the wider Emirates region. Dubai also depends on tourism, and people who had planned to holiday there this year will put those plans on hold. Security concerns have permanently changed the region’s appeal.
How did Foreign Minister Wadephul respond?
The speakers describe Wadephul’s initial response as uncoordinated: he first said no one would be brought back, then revised that position. He apparently was not fully informed about the situation within his own ministry. Other countries acted much faster and more decisively to evacuate their citizens.
Is Dubai really as attractive as influencers make it seem?
Reza Mehman has visited Dubai and describes it as interesting, but also too hot, artificial and culturally shallow. Its opportunities and pace are impressive, but culturally there is little that truly moves him. Despite occasional fascination, he has never seriously considered moving there.
Have influencers who left Germany lost their credibility?
Through their contradictory response — first panic and evacuation requests, then coordinated “safety” posts — many influencers have lost credibility. People in Germany who spent years looking at these influencers and wondering whether to emigrate themselves can now see that the supposedly better alternative has weaknesses of its own.
Highlighted quotes
“I’ve seen a lot of footage in recent days and weeks, since the Iran war began, of drones crashing into high-rise buildings and hotels, sometimes seemingly at random. This isn’t AI footage either. Apparently it’s already been verified, so it’s real.”
— Reza Mehman
“Strangely, after a very short time, suddenly everyone is posting about how wonderful it is here and how safe everything is.”
— Reza Mehman
“What’s happening is catastrophic for the entire Emirates region. And wasn’t Wadephul’s initial response a little odd? First, we’re not bringing anyone back, and then suddenly: all right, yes, we will.”
— Reza Mehman
“I was welcomed here so warmly that I have to give something back. I can’t just leave it at that.”
— Reza Mehman on his home, Heidelberg
“They’re experiencing a kind of powerlessness that is a complete strategic catastrophe for them.”
— Reza Mehman on the Gulf states
“I know people who absolutely love it. And I know people who say: have a look for a day, but this isn’t a city. It’s all artificial. Where’s the culture?”
— Reza Mehman on Dubai
The complete conversation
Influencers in Dubai: the starting point
Reza Mehman:
Carsten, hey, great that we can talk again. Do you know any influencers who are in Dubai right now?
Carsten:
Yes, we talked about one in our very first recording: Jill Hardener, who attended an event in Mannheim that we both experienced.
Reza Mehman:
Are you still in touch?
Carsten:
No. And if I were, I wouldn’t admit it.
Reza Mehman:
And is she still in Dubai?
Carsten:
No idea, but she’s the only one I know.
Drone attacks and the situation in the Gulf states
Reza Mehman:
Okay, I actually know a few too, not many, but a few who are in Dubai right now. We all know the situation, of course. It’s very serious in the Gulf states, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Dubai. I’ve seen a lot of footage in recent days and weeks, since the Iran war began, of drones crashing into high-rise buildings and hotels, sometimes seemingly at random. This isn’t AI footage either. Apparently it’s already been verified, so it’s real. We can discuss Iran separately another time. I’d also be interested in why they’re doing this — I have my suspicions. But I’d really like to focus on the influencers who are there right now.
The influencer phenomenon: first panic, then “Dubai is safe”
Reza Mehman:
There’s an interesting discussion going on. I read in the media that, since the war began, many influencers initially started saying: we want to get out, Germany has to look after us, we need to be flown back.
Then, strangely, after a very short time, suddenly everyone is posting about how wonderful it is here and how safe everything is. I’ve prepared something briefly. On one side, we have influencers and entrepreneurs who left Germany years ago and moved to Dubai or Cyprus — Cyprus is another typical destination. They’ve built new lives there and spent years telling everyone how much better everything is, especially the weather, of course taxes, and the overall lifestyle.
On the other side, there are people like us in Germany: not such great weather, lots of taxes, and we have to make an effort with our lifestyle too. Sometimes we look over there and think: yes, maybe it’s a little nicer and cooler over there. But now there’s a case where safety is hugely relevant. Suddenly these influencers have all started posting quite similar things on Instagram and other platforms, including TikTok. You see exactly the same skyline and beach images, even similar music, and in some cases almost identical wording.
Carsten:
How these messages reach their audience
Yes, I believe that. I’m not in that bubble either, but I happen to hear a little about it through my wife’s friends. I do think there’s something going on. I don’t think Der Spiegel is writing so much about it for no reason. They probably track their analytics too: what are people clicking on, what are they looking at? I think there’s enormous attention on it right now. And, of course, many people in Germany are saying: hey, ha ha, we were right to stay here rather than move abroad after all.
Reza’s personal experience of Dubai
Carsten:
Did what you saw from those influencers in Dubai over the years have an effect on you? Did it influence your fascination with the city in any way? Do you think Dubai is cool? Is it a hotspot of intelligence to you?
Reza Mehman:
To answer authentically and honestly: I find Dubai interesting. I think part of that is that I wanted to see what life there was actually like. Three years ago, I recorded a podcast with a successful entrepreneur, Sai Genialchin — one of the most successful podcasts I’ve ever done. He said: yes, we can record a podcast, online or remotely. I said: of course I’ll come over. So I flew to Dubai specifically for a podcast and we recorded it. A very successful entrepreneur, a great guy and really very nice, I have to say. That was also when I spent several days in Dubai without my family.
That meant I could see a bit more of the place. I found the weather exhausting, of course. Being too hot isn’t so great either.
Carsten:
You were there in July.
Reza Mehman:
Climate and everyday life in Dubai
I can’t remember, but it was brutally hot. You move from one air-conditioned place to the next. So the weather isn’t as good as you might imagine. What I can say, though, is that I found the pace and the opportunities there interesting, as I mentioned at the start. The things you can do, too. Theme parks every 500 metres — I’m exaggerating. There’s a theme park you can visit. There’s an indoor ski slope in a shopping centre. Those are opportunities we unfortunately don’t have here in the same way.
I know people who absolutely love it. And I know people who say: have a look for a day, but this isn’t a city. It’s all artificial. Where’s the culture? Where’s something that really impresses you, really moves you? Definitely, I agree with you there. Culturally, yes, that’s a completely different subject.
Dubai or Heidelberg?
I think it can be good if you want to get things moving a little faster for a while. But to come back to it, it didn’t really create a sense of FOMO for me. Still, I’ve thought a few times about what it would be like to live there for six months, for example. What effect would that have on my life and so on? I have thought about it. Then the patriot in me comes back and says: no, hang on, this is your home. People here made sure you were doing well. I’m an enormous Heidelberg fan, as I think you know by now. I was welcomed here so warmly that I have to give something back. I can’t just leave it at that.
The strategic catastrophe for the Gulf states
Reza Mehman:
You can see that I have different perspectives on it. But I can definitely say that, especially now with the security concerns you simply have when you’re in or around the Gulf states… You can really see that there’s not much they can do about it either.
Carsten:
No. They’re experiencing a kind of powerlessness that is a complete strategic catastrophe for them. People who had been thinking of holidaying in Dubai this year won’t do so for the time being. And Dubai also depends on tourism. What’s happening is catastrophic for the entire Emirates region.
Wadephul and the evacuation question
Reza Mehman:
And wasn’t Wadephul’s initial response a little odd? First, we’re not bringing anyone back, and then suddenly: all right, yes, we will.
Carsten:
Yes, he wasn’t fully informed about the situation in his own ministry. Okay. Does he know by now? I hope so. Other countries were simply much faster and more decisive.
Reza Mehman:
All right, I’d say we’ll keep watching. Or at least I will.
Carsten:
You do that. I don’t want to look.
Keywords
Tags: influencers in Dubai, Iran war, Gulf states’ safety, drone attacks in Dubai, emigrating from Germany, Dubai lifestyle, Wadephul evacuation, Emirates region, Reza Mehman, Dubai tourism, illusion of safety, Heidelberg
Names and terms
Reza Mehman, Carsten, Jill Hardener, Sai Genialchin, Wadephul, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Heidelberg, Iran war, Gulf states, drone attacks, influencers, Der Spiegel, Instagram, TikTok, FOMO, air conditioning, indoor ski slope
Passage for quotation
The Iran war has shaken the Gulf states’ supposed safety: footage described as verified shows drones hitting high-rise buildings and hotels in Dubai.
Influencers who left Germany and praised Dubai as paradise initially asked to be evacuated, then posted coordinated “Dubai is safe” content.
Reza Mehman analyses the situation: the strategic catastrophe for the Emirates region is real, and Dubai also depends on tourism.
Foreign Minister Wadephul’s initial response was uncoordinated; other countries were much faster.
Reza’s conclusion: despite occasionally being fascinated by Dubai, he remains loyal to his home, Heidelberg.
Episode notes and discussion
The Iran war has destroyed Dubai’s illusion of safety. Reza Mehman and Carsten analyse why influencers first asked to be evacuated, then posted coordinated “Dubai is safe” messages. What does this mean for their credibility and Dubai’s future?
Timestamps:
00:00 — Influencers in Dubai: the starting point
01:30 — Drone attacks and the situation in the Gulf states
03:00 — The influencer phenomenon: first panic, then “Dubai is safe”
07:00 — Reza’s personal experience of Dubai
14:00 — The strategic catastrophe for the Gulf states
17:00 — Wadephul and the evacuation question
Find the podcast and listening links.
#RezaMehman #Dubai #IranWar #Influencers #GulfStates #Podcast #Safety #Emigration
The Iran war has destroyed Dubai’s illusion of safety.
In my new podcast episode, Carsten and I analyse:
- Why are influencers posting coordinated “Dubai is safe” content while drones hit high-rise buildings?
- What does this mean for the credibility of emigrants who spent years disparaging Germany?
- Is Dubai really as attractive as it is presented?
#Podcast #Dubai #IranWar #Influencers #GulfStates #Emigration #RezaMehman
Drones are hitting high-rise buildings in Dubai, while influencers post “Dubai is safe”. What is behind it? In this episode of the Reza Mehman podcast, we analyse the influencer phenomenon in a crisis and ask whether the Iran war has permanently destroyed Dubai’s appeal. Explore the podcast and read the full conversation above.
Find more perspectives and conversations in my collection of sources and clips about Iran.
