The UAE did a deal with Egypt to manage a piece of their land. 

This is another type of network state: a traditional state that expands into a global network through land management deals.

In the next crisis, well-run states will have the cash to buy land. And insolvent states that need the cash will sell land.

where do we draw the line between "network state" and "capitalism-flavored imperialism?"

If there is no opt-in and opt-out from it, then any “network state” is just a colonial empire, which takes land with money not guns.