Geniuses of Good Intentions
It seems the Gulf is living in a neighborhood with the motto: “A neighbor from the East who loves chaos, and a neighbor from the North who never sleeps, while we are obliged to smile at everyone!”
Whenever an Iranian official makes a fiery statement, some of our analysts immediately say, “There is no need to worry; it is just talk.” There are still those among us who believe that the frequency of statements is proof that they will not turn into actions! Despite those missiles and drones, as if history was written specifically to refute itself, so as not to disturb the optimists.
As for the situation from the north, the news does not give you a chance to catch your breath; in between, you find people suggesting that the solution lies in more calm statements, as if official statements have become a strategic weapon feared by adversaries more than armies.
Strangely, we do not disagree on the existence of the threat, but rather on how to deal with it. One team believes that preparedness is a duty, while another team fears that preparedness might offend the aggressor! It is exactly like a homeowner who refuses to install a new lock so as not to insult the thief.
Then a third team appears, the most dangerous one, repeating that the real threat is not beyond the borders but within them... but by that, they mean everything except those who are actually trying to breach our Gulf unity, sow discord, and exploit every minor disagreement to turn it into a major Gulf crisis.
The tools of conflict have evolved significantly. The tank is no longer the only means; a small phone in the hand of a person large in naivety can do the job, reposting every rumor while writing innocently: “I received this... and God knows best.”
Every time we speak about Gulf unity, someone asks: “What is the benefit?”
The answer is simple; if a single family stands together when danger knocks at its door, then what about countries united by history, geography, and destiny? Or does some of us think that if a missile decides to visit the region, it will stop at the borders out of respect for passports?
The truth is that the Gulf Cooperation Council is no longer a diplomatic luxury, nor an occasion for group photos. It is a necessity imposed by geography before politics. Our region is not a public park, but one of the most sensitive corners of the world, and everyone who passes through it leaves its mark... or tries to.
We are not advocates of war, and no sane person wishes for war to occur; but peace, as reason and history say, does not live on goodwill alone; peace requires strength to guard it, and unity to prevent the ambitious from testing the patience of neighbors.
The question that repeats every day remains: Do we wait until we agree after the danger has occurred, or do we agree before someone decides to test our unity?
History, unfortunately, does not award points for good intentions... but for good preparedness.
