The current world order, which today controls the mechanisms of international society and determines the fate of all nations, peoples, economies, and social relations without exception, and even shapes its future, has entered a state of fragility, like brittle bones or stiffened joints that no longer possess the flexibility necessary for this system to function in a way that truly reflects international interests and prevents the world from sliding into dangerous and disastrous consequences.
This system has become a malfunctioning machine. It was originally born out of the end of the World War II and the realities that emerged from it: the victory of certain powers and the disappearance of others.And the big question remains: where do the Arabs stand in all of this?
India has shaped a position that will protect it in any future international equation. It is a cohesive and democratic state, strongly integrated into the global economy, and a nuclear power that lacks nothing to become a major figure in the international order.
The same applies to nuclear Pakistan, as well as to a group of Latin American countries that seek to distinguish themselves through their presence, policies, and independent direction, perhaps achieving a meaningful political entity in the coming phase.
Europe, too, remains significant, with its common market and unified currency, and, as mentioned earlier, it is rebuilding its security and defence on the basis of a European defence framework, independent from the United States.
In contrast, the Arabs, with their important geopolitical location, their wealth, their cultural legacy, and their vast civilizational heritage, lack nothing except the will to create an Arab entity capable of preserving Arab interests, their land, economy, security, and defence, in the event of the emergence of a new world order.
Looking back to the recent past, the generation of Arab leaders, thinkers, and politicians of our fathers’ era called for immediate unity and total integration. Yet such ideas lacked realism. Today, each Arab country has developed its own national character, and each has differentiated itself, to one degree or another, through its economic and social development and its foreign relations.
Nevertheless, despite all of this, the Arab countries are still united by a single identity, and experience has proven that their security is one and indivisible.
If we examine their interests closely, we find that these interests are also shared. The anticipated global order to come will likely be an order dominated by massive powers, leaving no place for small entities – whether geographically small or limited in material and defensive capabilities – especially since we Arabs are surrounded by strong and ambitious regional powers, including Israel and Iran, even if those ambitions vary in degree.
Therefore, the Arabs could establish a unified defence system and a comprehensive economic framework that seeks to identify economic and investment priorities beneficial to all. We could combine our human, financial, and natural resources – minerals, fertile land, and more – to achieve various forms of self-sufficiency.
And finally, we respect the sovereignty of every Arab nation-state, allowing each country to retain full freedom in making its sovereign decisions without interference in its internal affairs, while emphasising the importance of joining this proposed Arab framework as a defensive, security, and economic force.
This Arab defence, security, and economic framework would not be aggressive. Rather, it would seek to build positive relations with neighbouring countries, whether Iran, Türkiye – or even Israel, if it responds to all the rights of the Arab Palestinian people – as well as with all nations of the world. But this must come from a position of strength and capability, for the world has never respected the weak, nor will it ever do so.
[by Samir Habashneh in Aljazeera]