World War III

Whenever I attempt to write about domestic issues, I find myself compelled to set them aside and devote my words to the complex situations unfolding in our region and across the globe. While the growing role of media and social networks is a blessing that allows us to live in a global village, aware of the details of events in even the smallest cities worldwide, it is also a curse that exposes us to the horrors, wars, intrigues, and images of human destruction inflicted upon humanity, both during and after their occurrence, everywhere in the world. The Arab world is no exception to these horrors. Consequently, community and individual security, as well as the security of states and peoples, have become humanity’s foremost priority, particularly for the peoples of the Arab region.

How could it not be that the scenes of ongoing wars and conflicts take precedence in our attention, deliberation, and management, given that we witness and live through the devastation, destruction, killing, and genocide in the Arab region and in several European territories? How could it not be, given the deliberate undermining of the international system and the frantic pursuit to exhaust and deliberately marginalize the roles of the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and other international monitoring and supervisory organizations? How could it not be, given that major powers race to secure gains on the ground and develop their economies at the expense of others’ security and stability? How could it not be, given that global and regional powers form strategic alliances to undermine their competitors, at the expense of global peace? How could it not be, given that existing wars and conflicts threaten and disrupt navigation and commercial and food supply routes, negatively impacting the global economy, and consequently the Gulf and Arab economies, leading to a global economic downturn and resulting chaos and instability in several countries, most notably in Europe? How could it not be, given the frantic race by numerous countries to significantly increase their defense and armament budgets? This is accompanied by a frantic pursuit to acquire weapons of mass destruction, including the expansion of cyber and digital warfare, which, if deployed, could paralyze states’ essential capabilities. How could it not be, given the statements from heads of state, governments, and official bodies warning of the imminent outbreak of a third world war? Our Gulf, Arab, and Muslim states are at the epicenter of this intense regional and international conflict, which risks escalating into an uncontrollable crisis.

Some readers may perceive a degree of pessimism in the aforementioned analysis and reading of events, which may be accurate. Indeed, some observers and political and military experts argue that the idea of a third world war reflects a stupidity that could lead to humanity’s annihilation, akin to collective suicide given the world’s arsenal of lethal weapons. They contend that major powers possess sufficient political and diplomatic tools to prevent the situation from deteriorating to the point of no return.

The Gulf Arab states, along with Arab and Islamic countries, bear a significant responsibility in preventing the situation from escalating into a comprehensive war that would leave devastation in its wake. The tendency of some Arab and Muslim states to acquiesce to global and regional projects aimed at achieving self-serving gains must not blind us to the fact that this comes at the expense of the security and stability of our peoples and nations. Such behavior is akin to playing with fire. Gulf, Arab, and Islamic states have a role to play in strengthening and reinforcing international organizations that curb the excesses of great powers. Consequently, it has become imperative to revive the role of international organizations and place them at the forefront to confront the ongoing escalation in the Arab region and in various countries and regions worldwide. Moreover, the idea of establishing broad Gulf-Arab-Islamic alliances, akin to the Mecca Agreement, has become essential at this sensitive juncture. In any case, Gulf, Arab, and Islamic states must demonstrate a high degree of credibility, transparency, and closeness to their peoples by preparing for and mitigating the crises and risks that lie ahead. God is the Best of Protectors. Dr. Mohammed Hussein Al-Dallal