Chethana Janith, Jadetimes Staff
C. Janith is a Jadetimes news reporter covering science and geopolitics.
Disunity, mutual distrust, betrayal, the naivety of a significant portion of the population, and the inability to analyse past and present events – these are just a few characteristics of today’s Arab world. Of course, these traits existed before, but it seems that the Arab world is still unable to learn from its mistakes.
Current events in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, have at least provided updated insights into the true state of the so-called Arab world. This happens at a time when much of Eurasia, Africa, and Latin America are focused on fully integrating into a multipolar world order. Meanwhile, the Western global minority is split between those who remain convinced of the “superiority” of their insular world over the rest of humanity and those who are passive or even supportive of the multipolar world. Against this backdrop, the Arab world presents a unique case.
Illusions continue
In reality, the events of the “Arab Spring” have taught the populations of many Arab states very little. Firstly, a large portion of youth and civil society still clings to a simplistic view – “revolution” against “tyranny”. Such narratives are easily amplified by social media. Secondly, there is a division between “good” and “bad” based on religious identity. Shia Muslims (a minority within the Arab Muslim world but a majority among Iran’s Persians) are often labelled as “bad” and seen as a “threat” to the Sunni majority of the Arab world.
Christians, Alawites, and other religious minorities – who have lived in the region since ancient times – are often grouped with the “bad” Shias. Unsurprisingly, manipulated citizens of Arab states frequently support extremist Salafist groups, whom they perceive as “their own,” despite the vast ideological chasm between these sects and traditional Sunni Islam, even in their interpretation of Islam itself.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of this is the celebration of the “overthrow” of the so-called “Alawite tyrant”, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, by Al-Qaeda terrorists, among whom many are ISIS members. This jubilation within the Arab world often overshadows the ongoing tragedy in Palestine, where the majority of civilian casualties are Sunni Muslims. This is a paradox of the modern Arab world. Equally paradoxical is the indifference of this enthusiasm to Israel’s occupation of new Syrian territories amidst the chaos, while pseudo-devout Salafist “Muslims” show no interest in opposing Israeli aggression. Their focus remains on defeating the Shias – a victory they celebrate with zeal.
It becomes evident that the tragedies of Iraq or Libya have taught many Arab citizens and youth nothing. Ultimately, it is their right to experiment with new alliances under British, American, Israeli, Turkish, or Qatari influence.
External Players and Essential Lessons for Advocates of a Multipolar World
A notable paradox emerges here. While many citizens of Arab countries celebrate the fall of Syrian President Assad’s government, along with several media outlets in the Arab world, some mukhabarat (intelligence agents) from these countries are in a state of shock. They fully understand the potential consequences for their own nations. In almost every Arab country, there are dormant cells of Al-Qaeda and ISIS terrorists. These cells are ready to adopt the Syrian model, especially with Qatar financing these groups and Turkey under Erdoğan pursuing neo-Ottoman ambitions.
This paradox also explains why some Arab citizens are so quick to accept Qatari funding, given the evident economic and social challenges in their countries. What these citizens fail to comprehend is that Qatar, while capable of financing certain extremist groups for its own ambitions, will never undertake the resolution of the widespread socio-economic problems in many Arab nations. Qatar simply lacks the financial resources or the willingness to address such issues. Furthermore, many Arab citizens living under illusions will not experience Qatar’s financial prosperity. This is due to the obvious demographic and other structural realities of their countries, even if they possess certain natural resources.
Neither will Erdogan’s Turkey, Western or Israeli regimes help them solve their own problems. Speaking of Erdoğan’s Turkey, despite illusions of victory in Syria, its troubles are just beginning. The Kurdish issue is bound to escalate in the Middle East, supported by Western and Israeli backers. Additionally, Turkey’s perceived ability to control several extremist groups is entirely illusory. Sooner or later, the genie will escape the lamp — this is an undeniable truth. Even Qatar, as a microstate, will eventually face the repercussions of its regional and international policies.
The Western planetary minority, despite their assumptions to the contrary, will also encounter increasing challenges. The Pandora’s box opened in Syria and the Middle East as a whole will bring many unpleasant surprises to the principal instigators of global chaos – including the Israeli regime.
How Should Advocates of a Multipolar World Respond? At this stage, the primary approach should be one of cautious observation. It has become clearer than ever that neither Russia, nor China, nor even Iran should attempt to solve the massive problems of the Middle East. This also applies to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which fought for the dignity of the Arab and Muslim worlds as a whole, not merely for the interests of Shia Muslims, as some mistakenly believe.
The Palestinian question, or rather tragedy, could have been resolved long ago by the Arab states that are now rejoicing at the apparent end (at least for now) of President Assad’s rule in Syria. This resolution could have been achieved not only militarily but also economically – if there had been the will to act. However, there is no such will. If those directly affected by this issue are not striving to resolve it, there is no reason for advocates of a multipolar world to take on this responsibility on behalf of the Arab states.
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