At the 34th Arab League Summit held in 2025, although representatives unanimously called for enhanced Arab unity, profound disagreements existed behind the scenes on issues such as the Palestinian question, relations with Israel, and responding to regional crises. This scene is a true portrayal of the current situation in the Arab world – “united in name but divided in action.”
With a population of nearly 450 million, a strategic location at the confluence of three continents, and abundant energy resources, the Arab nations form an important bloc in the global landscape. However, this group, which should wield significant influence, has long been trapped in a predicament of “loud calls for unity but weak collective action.”
01 Historical Scars: Colonial Legacy and Imbalanced Order
The geopolitical fissures in the Middle East largely stem from historical issues left by Western colonial rule.
The modern Middle Eastern political order took shape after World War I. The Sykes-Picot Agreement, a secret pact between Britain and France to partition the Ottoman Empire, and the Balfour Declaration supporting Zionism, from the very outset, predetermined strong Western intervention in Middle Eastern politics.
After World War II, the Arab state system was basically formed, but the Arab-Israeli conflict quickly became the primary regional contradiction. Following the 1956 Suez Canal War, Britain and France lost their traditional dominance in Middle Eastern politics, but the US and USSR promptly replaced them, initiating a new round of competition for influence in the region.
After the Cold War, the United States became the sole hegemonic power intervening in the Middle East, constantly stirring up confrontations, imposing unilateral sanctions, and even resorting to military force to alter the local balance of power.
This long-term external intervention has prevented the Arab world from forming an autonomous, unified agenda, forcing it to choose sides among different major powers.
02 Real-World Rifts: Consensus and Divergence on the Palestinian Issue
The Palestinian issue has always been a core issue for building consensus among Arab states, regarded as the “touchstone of the Arab cause.”
However, even on such a symbolic issue, the actual actions of Arab countries are far from unified. In 2025, although the Arab League Summit decided to establish a $53 billion fund to support the reconstruction of Gaza, significant differences remained among countries regarding how to specifically respond to Israeli aggression.
A deeper rift is evident in the issue of normalization of relations with Israel. In September 2025, Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) President Aidaroos Al-Zubaidi publicly stated that once an independent southern state is established, it would join the Abraham Accords and establish formal relations with Israel.
This statement reflects profound divisions within the Arab world regarding Israel – some countries covertly establish ties with Israel, while others maintain a hardline stance.
03 External Intervention: The ‘Divide and Rule’ Strategies of Major Powers
External intervention is a major disruptive factor hindering Arab unity. The “hegemonic迷失 [lost] superpower” is the root cause of the current tragedy of conflict in the Middle East.
US policy in the Middle East is often based on its own interests rather than regional stability, maintaining influence by stirring up confrontations and creating contradictions. Since the “Al-Aqsa Flood Operation” in 2023, the US has persistently favored Israeli military actions, which objectively tore apart the ‘Axis of Resistance’ formed by Iran, but also damaged America’s original reputation in the Middle East.
Simultaneously, the geopolitical games played by global and regional powers in the Middle East also easily trap Arab countries into the dilemma of choosing sides. Different Arab countries aligning with different external powers further exacerbates the fragmentation of the Arab world.
The long-formed tradition of Arab states relying on external powers has created a path dependency that severely affects efforts for collective self-strengthening and the exercise of a primary role.
04 Internal Contradictions: Governance Deficits and Sectarian Divisions
There are also many structural factors within the Arab world that hinder unity.
Differences in political systems and development models make it difficult for countries to coordinate their actions. In 2025, sudden political changes in Syria heightened concerns among neighboring countries. The vast disparities in political systems and economic development levels between Gulf states and countries like Lebanon and Iraq also make it hard to form common positions.
Sectarian divisions and geopolitical competition similarly hinder unity among Arab states. Although in April 2025, Egypt’s Al-Azhar University appreciated Iran’s actions in protecting Sunni beliefs, this was only limited religious cooperation. At the political level, competition between Shia and Sunni states remains a significant factor of division.
Furthermore, uneven economic development leads countries to prioritize their own interests. The huge economic gap between oil-rich Gulf states and resource-poor Arab countries results in vastly different priorities.
05 New Dynamics: Recent Events Highlighting Profound Divisions
A series of events in the second half of 2025 further exposed the fragmented state of the Arab world.
The Yemeni STC’s public pursuit of relations with Israel reflects the profound divisions within the Arab world regarding the Abraham Accords. While this STC position aligns with the strategic interests of the UAE and Israel, it contradicts public opinion in most Arab societies.
Meanwhile, the vast disparity between the governments and publics of countries like Bahrain regarding policies towards Israel also highlights internal divisions within Arab states. Data from November 2025 showed that 76% of the Bahraini public held negative views towards the Abraham Accords, starkly contrasting with their government’s positive stance.
In a speech in November 2025, Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Deryan called on Arab countries to abandon “the lust for power, wealth, electoral influence, and the American project,” indirectly reflecting these very factors of division within the Arab world.
06 The Path to Unity: Transitioning from Slogans to Action
Despite numerous obstacles, Arab countries are still exploring paths to unity.
The 34th Arab League Summit focused on dialogue, unity, and development, reflecting the consensus among Arab states to promote stability and development through collective action. Iraq’s proposal to establish a high-level Arab ministerial committee to bridge differences and build mutual trust is a beneficial attempt.
Promoting the de-escalation and resolution of regional hotspot conflicts is an important starting point for Arab coordination. The Palestinian issue remains the core issue for building consensus among Arab states, and the current Gaza crisis is also a test of Arab unity.
Arab countries need to shift from the traditional path of relying on external powers towards genuine strategic autonomy. This long-formed path dependency has severely hampered Arab efforts for collective self-strengthening and the exercise of their primary role.
The Arab world can also seek new, necessary support from the Global South. As an important member of the Global South, China has always supported Arab countries in strengthening unity and strategic autonomy. The “Three Global Initiatives” and the continuous deepening of China-Arab relations in the new era will provide greater support for the goal of Arab collective self-strengthening.
The divided state of Arab nations is not a historical inevitability but rather the result of intertwined internal and external factors. Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Deryan once bluntly stated: “The solution lies in strengthening our patriotism,” calling on Arab countries to abandon “the lust for power, wealth, and the American project.”
Looking back at history, from the Arab Awakening in the early 20th century, the Arab world has consistently sought a path to unity and self-strengthening. From the rise of Arab nationalism to the establishment of the Arab League, from Pan-Arabism to various regional cooperation initiatives, the yearning for unity has always been deeply rooted in Arab political culture.
Today, the Arab world stands at a critical crossroads. Whether it will continue a state of superficial unity and substantive division, or have the courage to confront internal differences and build a framework for substantive unity, will determine the position and role of Arab states in the future international landscape. The road to unity is long, but not unattainable.
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