Dubai’s social influencer-cultivated reputation of being a safe haven just went up in smoke | CNN

Dubai has long been considered a “safe haven” in the Middle East — a reputation burnished by the legions of social media influencers who visit or live there, documenting their glamorous lives in carefully posed videos and photos. Reeling under recent military strikes from Iran, this gilded world suddenly vanished last week, replaced online by jittery footage of smoke plumes rising from the normally gleaming skyline. Although the majority of the missiles aimed at Dubai have been intercepted, the attacks have damaged some of its most famous landmarks, including the five-star Fairmont The Palm and Jumeirah Burj Al Arab hotel. But while breathless coverage of restaurants, beaches, hotels and parties has largely been swept aside, some influencers have emerged defiant, responding to relentless queries of “You live in Dubai, aren’t you scared?” with posts showing life in the emirate undiminished by the impact of conflict. Sharing scenic footage and reassuring clips of its leaders, they insist they’re unafraid, occasionally augmenting their posts with eyebrow-raising explanations such as, “because I know who protects us.” From outside the emirate, a different viewpoint pr