FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in the UAE | Reuters

The cloud over the financial future of Dubai after the Dubai World debt crisis is the overriding risk to watch in the United Arab Emirates this year.

Added to that are some lingering worries about an escalation of Iran's nuclear dispute with Western powers, a long-running territorial row with Iran and Islamist extremism.

DUBAI DEBT AND FINANCIAL WOES

The United Arab Emirates' economy is expected to grow by 2.5 percent this year, the slowest pace in the Gulf Arab region, as large debts burdening state-linked firms in Dubai weigh on a recovery following the Dubai World debt crisis.