Arabs and weightlessness?
Arabs are almost all together with their states, oil, and wealth; outside international strategic calculations because of their fragmentation, subservience, discordance and rivalry ̲ as a nation.
There are few exceptions here and there, but overall, Arabs seem like someone walking outside the track of logic, politics and governance expertise. Those who could one day twist Europe arm, once joining forces in October 1973, using some of their military and oil power; are today left zeros in the Giants accounts and deals or the so-called Nations game, rather Giants against petites game.
The prominence of any state, or transnational group or conglomeration; results from physical components (human, economic, military and geopolitical) crowned by strong political will. Unfortunately, analysing those components in the Arab world clearly shows its ineffectiveness because they have put credentials in the hands of regional and international external forces. In the sense that they constitute an added value to unaccredited countries, rather controlling them through political influence or extra military power. For instance, to compare at both regional and international levels we will expose two examples, the first Iran and the other South Africa, with different “potentials employment” methods.
Iran has been able to -though subject to an economic blockade and a West chronic hostility- become reckoned as a regional power bloc that West and America take into account. Since it has been able to build a modern state enjoying scientific, economic, and military power; relying on its own strength and good wealth investment, as well as on democratic institutionalizing. Both political will leadership and national common sense are the main reasons behind this achievement. Having such determination and faith to achieve goals whatever difficulties or challenges, in addition to their ability to correctly invest the aforementioned components – is exceptional.
Another case in point, South Africa -that was a European colony and an example of apartheid, rivalries and wars- was able in less than two decades to turn into a regional power bloc economically, militarily and politically. A power of impact and importance, playing a major role in international relations and setting an international scene with strategic dimensions. Once again, the reasons are a national political will, free from all forms of exterior dependence, a determination to succeed in ambitious development plans based on national potentials, and an investment in intellectual capital.
Investigating both an Asian and African examples, was to indicate the similarity of cultural and human constituents with some Arab countries. As well as, potential and historical circumstances experienced by the peoples of the replica, to demonstrate the importance of having a free political will, a national decision-making, and a good potential employment in the framework of building an auto-force taking into account investing the international situation. Altogether forming success opportunities, yet only for those who have a preacquisition of a Will to succeed and excel.
The decline of the Arab role at a nationwide level, can mostly be explained first by the lack of coordination between active Arab states, and states depending on outer powers whichever regional or international. Secondly, the lack of rational management and econ – political governance on developmental and political levels. Without mentioning associated domination, corruption and citizenship rights violation; all accompanied with a fragmented national state structure. The whole thing is a result of detritus reactionary discourses, adopted by media platforms reflecting bolted policies and strategies with limited primitive thinking, not well fitting with the age spirit or the civil state concept. Those policies are established on narrow minded plans, splitting instead of gathering, accumulating in the anti-Arabism cell which totally opposes its open civilized true aspect.
The Arab situation prolongation of decline, disintegration, disharmony, and fragmentation; is not only a threat for Arab condition or the idea of Arabism, rather the auto – national State structure is on the edge. It is clearly evident that countries of the world, even Superpowers are heading towards an econ-political bloc and partnership to book a place in post-unipolar era forming new maps, while most Arab countries are absolutely going in the opposite direction.
Dr. khalaf Almuftah
Translated & Edited by: Lama Al-Hassanieh