Don't Think Too Much

We must acknowledge that American or Israeli elections hold little value for us in terms of outcomes, as events concerning us will not alter their objectives. Both sides share the same vision of our Arab world and employ the same strategies, namely exerting maximum pressure on us to advance their strategic interests.

Yes, there is democracy in the United States and in Israel, but it is confined to domestic practice. Foreign policy, however, is determined by economic pressure groups, whether military or oil-related, and in recent years, technology companies have entered the fray.

Thus, their differences are limited to internal issues. Here, we must examine developments related to our Arab world and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from the perspective of what benefits us, and how we can work to create domestic pressure groups within the United States.

It is true that we have been very late in establishing pressure groups akin to the “Zionist lobby” in the United States, despite its long-standing existence. However, this does not preclude the existence of an “Arab” or “Gulf” lobby in the world’s most powerful state. We should not merely be importers of weapons and other goods from them, while failing to leverage technology to build local industries, or at least to establish heavy industries that serve our interests.

The two parties, Republican and Democratic, or rather their leaders, view the Arab world as a backward region and Israel’s backyard. So, what did those powers do since the end of World War II, following the Arab defeat in 1967 and the United States’ defeat in Vietnam?

They began by destabilizing Lebanon. After succeeding over 15 years, they extended their efforts across the broader Arab world, undermining Libya, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and other countries. The Arab world found itself caught between the jaws of extremism and terrorist movements, which were primarily Western and Israeli creations.

Nevertheless, it is true that the American stance toward the Iranian regime could be a turning point in our relations with Tehran. Since 1979, Iran has altered its view of its neighbors, seeking to incite unrest through what it calls the “export of revolution,” and has pursued a military nuclear program. All of this has destabilized the region, particularly for Gulf states.

On this basis, we engage with the United States, whether under a Republican or Democratic administration, as its position remains firm in this direction. We must build upon it and leverage it, acting pragmatically, just as Washington deals with all world capitals. We should operate according to the principle attributed to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: “We have no eternal allies or eternal adversaries. We have eternal interests.” This is the foundation.

Hence, I return to the title “Do not think about Avid.” Whether Netanyahu succeeds or falls, whether the Democratic or Republican Party wins, whether the far-right in Europe gains or loses power—none of this will change anything in the fixed equation of Western and European policy toward us and their perception of us. The external objective will not change unless Arabs change their view of that equation. In other words, if they do not change themselves, the world will not change its view of them. As God Almighty said in the Quran: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, Verse 11). Will Arabs and Gulf citizens act upon this verse?