Not an expert but I'll give my top 5 for the Middle East region.
1. Emirates Majlis (Dubai) - was I think the first desert course and although doesn't have the water views has enough doglegs around the various lakes that makes it fun. Also I really like the variety of greenside bunkering. Some have just left/right, others front/back and even a few without any greenside bunkers.
2. Yas Links (Abu Dhabi) - right on the water and uses mounding well IMO. Greens are tougher to putt than the Majlis IMO. Problem here is the water table is so low that the course can get flooded out on occasion. Nice facility/clubhouse as is common for many ME courses.
3. Trump International (Dubai) - Really like this layout with a variety of par 4's were impressive. It is routed through a development of some housing/condos (surprise), but the course is in tremendous conditioning and greens have quite a bit of runoff around them.
4. Saadiyat Beach (Abu Dhabi) - Part of a island resort development and has some gorgeous ocean view holes. Very prone to wind which is a good defense. Greens are smaller than a typical desert resort course. Have some very severe bunking (like #16 at PGA West Stadium severe)
5. Royal Greens (KSA) - Young course which hosts the Euro event and has some nice ocean views. The greens are large and is a mix of Majlis and Saadiyat Beach. Pretty easy off the tees, you can play from waste bunkers, where at Majlis they have quite a bit of tree growth over the years now. They keep the greens so fast ahead of the Euro tour event that amateurs can putt off some of the greens.
Honorable Mention -
Rolling Hills GC (KSA) - our course here in Aramco for employees. Very tough approach shots as 3-4 greens are slopped away and bunkers force air carries on many. With the wind that always blows plays tougher than the 137 slope from 6600 yards.
Royal Golf Club (Bahrain) - used to play a Euro tour event here, pretty tight course with some quirk. Has a drive able par 4 and a biarritz par 3.
Jumeriah Golf Estates Earth (Dubai) - They play the Race to Dubai here and is a lot of eye candy for they keep it very green adn white sand bunkers. I don't particularly enjoy the layout as it lacks some character. It does have some elevation change which is rare for a desert course.