Redefining and reinventing the Middle East in the 21st century globalized world
Unlike what most people think, the Middle East has not always been a divided land.
There was a time when that region was praised and admired by the world for its strength, unity and influence in the post-colonial world.
I am referring to the late 1950’s, when Arab nationalism was living its moments of glory.
Following the Second World War, Syria became independent in 1946, as well as Jordan, while Egypt and Iraq has already achieved colonial freedom. Libya acquired its independence in 1951, and the Maghreb countries a couple of years later.
It is in this context that Arab nationalism started to grow. Using as a basis the fact that all Arabs speak the same language, have the same culture and the same history, a pan-Arab current emerged in a majority of Arab States.
The leading figure of this pan-Arab movement, which lasted from 1950 to 1970, was Gamal Abdel Nasser; who lead Egypt from 1954 to 1970. He took advantage of the strong anti-Zionism sentiment that prevailed following the creation of Israel, and the strong rejection of the West, and attempted to unite Arabs around a socialist and secular ideology. He tried several times to merge the Arab States under one umbrella, and aspired to create a secular Arab federation, but to no avail.
- From 1958 to 1971, Egypt and Syria merged into the United Arab Republic.
- From 1971 to 1984, Egypt, Syria and Libya created a confederation referred to as the Union of Arab Republics. It remained however, embryonic.
- In 1958, Jordan and Iraq also attempted to unite into what was known as the Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan. Such unity lasted only six months.
After all these failed attempts, Arabism gradually ran out of steam, especially after the death of Nasser and the islamization of the Gaddafi regime in Lybia.
Despite these failures, one ought to remember that the pan-Arab ideology was a modern and progressive idea; perhaps though, not progressive enough.
Arabism was not a simple nationalist movement that resembled the nationalist movements of Europe after the World War I, instead, it was an ideology that advocated a Third Way, in the context of the Cold War.
Nasser’s Arabism was primarily a socialist movement. It did not advocate for either Western capitalism, or Eastern communism. What Nasser actually wanted was to achieve total independence from the West, while developing the economy of his country and that of the Arab world. In this regard, he nationalized the Suez Canal in 1956 (the matter that led to a war with Britain and France) and later planned for major projects, such as the Aswan Dam.
Unfortunately, Pan-Arabism, as defined by Nasser, was doomed to fail.
Today, in the wake of 21st century globalisation, a new tendency is emerging. It advocates for the redefinition and reinvention of a Middle-Eastern regionalisation. It promotes a cooperation that would transcend Arab States and take a regional dimension. It refers to a “Pan-Orientalism” that goes beyond Nasser’s ideals of Arab secularism and political independence, and instead offers a regional cooperation based on a common economic and political understanding.
Taking as a model Europe after the Second World War, “Pan-Orientalism” would favour cooperation and unification; a means of fostering peace and the creation of wealth.
It would create a system of economic and political interdependence, and would start with reconciling the “Levant” referred to in Arabic as “Bilad al Sham” (Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel).
Indeed, the Middle East is one the richest regions in the world. Not only in terms of natural resources but mainly in terms of culture and heritage. The Middle East is a land where Jews, Christians and Muslims have been cohabitating for centuries. It is the land of Moses, Jesus and Mohammed, where all of God’s children can feel at home.
Our region must regain its place as a centre of harmony and tolerance. It is time we turn the page of war and embark on the path of justice and peacebuilding.
To ensure an ever-lasting existence of our identity, secure our resources (human, cultural, financial) and leave a sustainable legacy to the future generations, there is no alternative but to establish permanent peace; a just peace. In the words of Anwar al Sadat: “peace that is not shaken by storms, swayed by suspicion, or jeopardized by ill intentions; but permanent peace based on justice.”
The battle for peace and cooperation has yet to begin; but one day, soon enough; justice, freedom and democracy will reign over a united Middle East.
E.C
Unlike what most people think, the Middle East has not always been a divided land.
There was a time when that region was praised and admired by the world for its strength, unity and influence in the post-colonial world.
I am referring to the late 1950’s, when Arab nationalism was living its moments of glory.
Following the Second World War, Syria became independent in 1946, as well as Jordan, while Egypt and Iraq has already achieved colonial freedom. Libya acquired its independence in 1951, and the Maghreb countries a couple of years later.
It is in this context that Arab nationalism started to grow. Using as a basis the fact that all Arabs speak the same language, have the same culture and the same history, a pan-Arab current emerged in a majority of Arab States.
The leading figure of this pan-Arab movement, which lasted from 1950 to 1970, was Gamal Abdel Nasser; who lead Egypt from 1954 to 1970. He took advantage of the strong anti-Zionism sentiment that prevailed following the creation of Israel, and the strong rejection of the West, and attempted to unite Arabs around a socialist and secular ideology. He tried several times to merge the Arab States under one umbrella, and aspired to create a secular Arab federation, but to no avail.
- From 1958 to 1971, Egypt and Syria merged into the United Arab Republic.
- From 1971 to 1984, Egypt, Syria and Libya created a confederation referred to as the Union of Arab Republics. It remained however, embryonic.
- In 1958, Jordan and Iraq also attempted to unite into what was known as the Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan. Such unity lasted only six months.
After all these failed attempts, Arabism gradually ran out of steam, especially after the death of Nasser and the islamization of the Gaddafi regime in Lybia.
Despite these failures, one ought to remember that the pan-Arab ideology was a modern and progressive idea; perhaps though, not progressive enough.
Arabism was not a simple nationalist movement that resembled the nationalist movements of Europe after the World War I, instead, it was an ideology that advocated a Third Way, in the context of the Cold War.
Nasser’s Arabism was primarily a socialist movement. It did not advocate for either Western capitalism, or Eastern communism. What Nasser actually wanted was to achieve total independence from the West, while developing the economy of his country and that of the Arab world. In this regard, he nationalized the Suez Canal in 1956 (the matter that led to a war with Britain and France) and later planned for major projects, such as the Aswan Dam.
Unfortunately, Pan-Arabism, as defined by Nasser, was doomed to fail.
Today, in the wake of 21st century globalisation, a new tendency is emerging. It advocates for the redefinition and reinvention of a Middle-Eastern regionalisation. It promotes a cooperation that would transcend Arab States and take a regional dimension. It refers to a “Pan-Orientalism” that goes beyond Nasser’s ideals of Arab secularism and political independence, and instead offers a regional cooperation based on a common economic and political understanding.
Taking as a model Europe after the Second World War, “Pan-Orientalism” would favour cooperation and unification; a means of fostering peace and the creation of wealth.
It would create a system of economic and political interdependence, and would start with reconciling the “Levant” referred to in Arabic as “Bilad al Sham” (Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel).
Indeed, the Middle East is one the richest regions in the world. Not only in terms of natural resources but mainly in terms of culture and heritage. The Middle East is a land where Jews, Christians and Muslims have been cohabitating for centuries. It is the land of Moses, Jesus and Mohammed, where all of God’s children can feel at home.
Our region must regain its place as a centre of harmony and tolerance. It is time we turn the page of war and embark on the path of justice and peacebuilding.
To ensure an ever-lasting existence of our identity, secure our resources (human, cultural, financial) and leave a sustainable legacy to the future generations, there is no alternative but to establish permanent peace; a just peace. In the words of Anwar al Sadat: “peace that is not shaken by storms, swayed by suspicion, or jeopardized by ill intentions; but permanent peace based on justice.”
The battle for peace and cooperation has yet to begin; but one day, soon enough; justice, freedom and democracy will reign over a united Middle East.
E.C