The Arab world, with its rich history and diverse cultures, has faced a range of challenges and dangers throughout the ages. From the shining days of the Islamic Golden Age, when the region was at the forefront of human civilization, to today’s complex geopolitical landscape, our region has been on a turbulent path. 

Many threats and conspiracies have surrounded the Arab world since its golden age, the most prominent of which was the Sykes-Picot Agreement. This led to the division of Arab countries between France and the UK as if they were pieces of cake, rearranging the borders of the Middle East and separating members of clans and even individual families. 

I have a feeling that we, as Arabs, deal with various parties with a transparency that is not reciprocal, while sometimes being oblivious to the questionable alliances that are being hatched against us that stem from the old saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” What are the ways to protect the future of the Arab nation? How can we benefit from and draw lessons from these complex dynamics? 

We cannot help but feel proud when mentioning the historical achievements of the Arab world during the Islamic Golden Age, as they had a significant impact on human civilization and its renaissance. Arab scholars, philosophers and artists made invaluable contributions to human knowledge and culture. Unfortunately, we failed to preserve this stage of enlightenment and progress and benefit from it to protect the region from conspiracies and intrigues. 

Famed historian Bernard Lewis once wrote: “The Golden Age of Islam was not without challenges, as internal divisions and external pressures often tested the resilience of Arab societies. The Crusades and Mongol invasions stand as a harsh reminder of the dangers the Arab world faced. It was during these tumultuous times that the concept of ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ often comes up.” 

These external threats set the stage for subsequent centuries of geopolitical conflicts and power shifts. Indeed, our world today navigates a complex web of alliances and animosities, with controversial alliances being formed over the future stability of our region, including strange dynamics between the West, Iran and Israel. 

Despite the declared hostility between these various parties, we find their actions often contradict their official positions, as they serve the interests of their declared enemies at the expense of the Arab countries that suffer from both. This is through militias that are spread across a large number of Arab countries whose declared goal is hostility to Israel and an Islamic resistance, while their essence is to keep the Middle East in a state of permanent instability and to mobilize to defend their faith, identity and sanctities. 

This was confirmed by John Mearsheimer, a prominent researcher in international relations, when he expressed his concerns about the questionable alliance between the West and Iran. He wrote: “The West’s alignment with Iran in various geopolitical theaters raises astonishment. While seeking to achieve its interests in the Middle East, the West was turning a blind eye.” 

Throughout my articles over the past two decades, I have always called on the Arab world, especially the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, to beware of losing Arab capitals one after another to the clutches of Iran. Iranian officials do not hide their pride at this expansion. Heider Moslehi, a minister of intelligence in the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated in 2015: “Iran controls four Arab capitals.” Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei also bragged in a statement in November 2022 about the expansion of Iran’s arms into Arab capitals, celebrating “the success of Iran’s vision in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.”  

Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon have all fallen under the control of the mullahs in Tehran and the greatest fear is that Iran’s expansionist ambitions may affect our sanctities and the remaining countries of the Middle East. 

Likewise, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a central issue in the region. Rashid Khalidi, a distinguished historian of the Arab-Israeli conflict, points out that “the ongoing Israeli occupation and settlement expansion continues to threaten peace in the Arab world. The plight of the Arab nation cannot be fully addressed without a just solution to this conflict.” 

It is as if Arab solidarity, stability and unity constitute a threat to Western countries and their partners, whose dangers we do not realize. Here it is permissible to ask: Is it in the interest of America, the West and Israel to unite with Iran to prevent the Arab world from seeing further progress and prosperity and restoring its golden age? 

It is as if Arab solidarity, stability and unity constitute a threat to Western countries and their partners. 

Khalaf Ahmad Al-Habtoor

In light of all the dangers surrounding the Arab world, it is necessary to chart a path toward protecting its future, giving priority to unity and cooperation and investing in education, innovation, research and empowering our children, the natives of this land, which will help to fortify the Arab world and restore its historical importance. Collective action, at the regional and international levels, is crucial to addressing the complex issues facing us. 

Arab countries must work together to confront common challenges, such as political instability, economic development and security threats. Initiatives such as the Arab League, if their role is activated, can serve as platforms for cooperation and conflict resolution. Priority can be given to resolving regional conflicts, at the forefront of which is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and bringing an end to the ambitions of Iranian expansion. 

The history of the Arab world is testimony to its resilience and lasting contributions to human civilization. Although it has faced conspiracies and challenges since its golden age, it has the ability to overcome the dangers of the modern era. By strengthening unity, clarity and cooperation, the Arab nation can chart a course toward a brighter future, one in which it regains its position as a beacon of culture, knowledge and progress on the global stage. 

• Khalaf Ahmad Al-Habtoor is a prominent UAE businessman and public figure. He is renowned for his views on international political affairs, his philanthropic activity, and his efforts to promote peace. He has long acted as an unofficial ambassador for his country abroad.