This article addresses the phenomenon of Arabs' reliance on relations with the United States and other major powers, far from working to build their power in its various forms. The problem is that the Arabs still avoid owing their power as effective regional and international players. The different elements of such power are available among Arab countries Such elements include military, security, economic, social, political, human, and natural resources in strategic depth and location in the heart of the world, and thus own the geopolitical and geostrategic significance. These include military, security, economic, social, and political resources, human and natural resources, strategic depth, and a critical global geographic location.
The central question posed by the article is: Why do Arabs not harness the power they possess to assert their interests and protect their nations, including the defense of the Palestinian people against Israeli occupation and aggression?
The article argues that the Arab will be lacking, which is the decisive factor needed to activate and utilize this power in the service of Arab national security and to defend the interests of Arab people against foreign aggression.
One of the most notable examples of this issue can be observed in the case study of the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza from 2023 to 2025. This war has shattered Gaza's land and people. It resulted in 2 billion refugees and 160,000 casualties, with the majority being women and children (75%). Various Arab decisions were made, some initially ambiguous while others were presented explicitly and clearly. Arabs relied on the success of their decisions on the support of the international community, particularly the United States and the United Nations. Additionally, there is no mention of any individual or collective Arab or Islamic efforts aimed at stopping the Israeli aggression and war of extermination in Gaza.
The lack of Arab self-determination for direct action—whether through support for the Palestinian struggle or through punitive measures against Israel—was evident. These decisions failed to create any real threats that would cause Israel to reconsider its actions. Such a case is clear particularly because the decisions were undermined by their limitations, such as excluding the use of force in any form, ruling out a boycott, stopping normalization with Israel, and distancing themselves from supporting legitimate resistance to the Israeli occupation as permitted by international law as self-defense. The inability to exert influence over events and their outcomes became apparent, resulting in increased Israeli and American disdain toward the Arabs and their decisions.
The analysis indicates that there are numerous fears and misconceptions among Arabs regarding their approach to confronting Israel. It is imagined that the Israeli lobby in the United States affects how Arabs navigate their relationships with the U.S. However, Arabs often overlook the fact that America and the West have a strong interest in maintaining ties with the Arab world. They also fail to recognize that aggressive actions by Israel serve primarily as a tool for threat and intimidation against Arab nations. A clear example of this dynamic is the oil trade boycott implemented by Arab countries in the Arab-Israel war in 1973.
The article emphasizes the need for new perspectives among the Arab ruling elites, opposition leaders, and elites to develop an Arab national project. This project should be grounded in the strength and resilience of all Arab nations and their peoples. Such a vision would empower the Arab position to motivate the conclusion of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and shift the international balance in favor of the Arab nations, particularly in light of the various regional and international alternatives available to them.
The article assures that the practical actions accompanying decisions are key to establishing this project. These measures will include confronting Israeli aggression, threats, and ambitions against Arab land and interests, which pose a significant threat to the Arab world and represent a strategic danger. Implementing such measures could compel the international community to adopt deterrent actions against Israel, provided there is will, determination, and serious consideration of the issue at the Arab level.
Keywords: Israel, genocidal war, Gaza, the Arab world, Israel, Palestine, United States, West, boycott, Palestinian struggle, occupation.
