The need for a unified Gulf army

Two summits of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and leaders of Arabcountries and the 14th OIC summit were recently held in Makkah.

HH the Amir ofKuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah called on the GCC countries to achievethe hopes of their people, overcome all obstacles and put an end to the disputethat has afflicted them and damaged their interests.

Bahrain’s foreignminister said these summits had achieved its objectives and brought constructiveresults that reflect the positions of Arab and Islamic countries and theircommon will to continue their efforts to overcome all the challengessurrounding them that aim at undermining national security and hinderingdevelopment .

I think the Qatari prime minister attending a major summit in Makkah is a sign of apossible breakthrough in relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with thesupport of the United States.

But this may take more time, as the Qataridelegation to the Arab League later sent a letter to the General Secretariat ofthe League announcing Qatar’s reservations and rejection of the statement ofthe emergency Arab summit. However, I think that Qatar’s participation in thismeeting means that the doors are not completely closed.

Money alone does not protect a country. I remembered this statement in light of the tensionsthat surround the region and between the GCC countries. Because I am a peaceadvocate and look to the future, I am writing in this article on what I see isimportant for the economic future of our countries, known as the oil states. Ithink it is unreasonable for the economy to grow without having viable militaryand economic unity among brothers.

Therefore, the establishment of a process of military and economic balance is important amongthe countries of the region with regards to their economy and the ability toprotect their wealth for future generations.

Therefore, I believe that building a large Gulf army has become an urgent and great necessity and not just anoption for the Gulf Cooperation Council, because the presence of a unified Gulf army will form a high wall that protects the Gulf and guarantees a securefuture for economic aspirations. A unified Gulf army should build a strong andunified economy for the Gulf states.

It is known the economy is the cornerstone of any regional unity. The economic horse isdragging the political cart, and not the opposite.

The countries of the regionlive under constant threat, making them constantly in need of externalguardians, which not only affects wealth development, but also depends on the“guardian’s” external interests.

In theory, if the armies of the Gulf states had deployed 30 years ago when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait within hours, for example, the damage wouldn’t have occurred; untiltoday, to find a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Yemen crisis thatprotects the Yemenis and their neighbors too.

However, the reality is that the Gulf states have not established a solid unified entity thatprotects them from internal political fluctuations, and for this simple andfundamental reason, Gulf unity would be a wall against any external security emergency.

Kuwait’sparticipation in these summits was at the highest level of representation – byHH the Amir – to address all the challenges facing the region in light of thedangerous developments in the region, maintain security and stability in theregion, secure its maritime navigation and ensure the flow of energy suppliesto the world.

Kuwait is making mediation efforts to bring peace to the region and among brothers. I believe that true unity is the unity of the common economy, protected by a strong Gulfarmy and reinforced by the political will of all states.

Otherwise, calls andaspirations for unity and peace will remain good wishes at annual meetings.

By Muna Al-Fuzai

muna@kuwaittimes.net