Afrasianet - Prof. Dr. Amjad Al-Fahoum - The world is witnessing rapid geopolitical transformations that are redrawing the balance between power and influence, and clearly reveal that those who do not possess the tools of their own power and do not build their own regional balance are becoming a mere card in the game of international interests.
In this context, there is an urgent need to build an integrated Arab-Islamic consensus, not as a theoretical option or a political slogan, but as an existential necessity to protect states, preserve their identity, and enhance their ability to make sovereign decisions.
Recent international experience confirms that alliances based on common interests and economic and technological integration are the most resilient.
The European Union, despite its crises, remains an example of the power of the economic bloc to consolidate global influence, and groupings such as ASEAN have been able to achieve economic growth and relative political stability through regional integration.
In contrast, shifts in East Asia, especially in the relationship between China and Taiwan, reveal a growing realization that full reliance on major powers for protection and defense is not a permanent guarantee.
The international system, as the literature of international relations indicates, is based on the principle of "balance of power" rather than "ensuring protection," which means that states that do not possess self-power or a coherent network of regional alliances remain vulnerable to political recruitment and strategic blackmail.
Building an Arab-Islamic consensus based on exploiting each country's comparative advantage becomes a pivotal step.
Arab countries possess vast energy resources and a strategic geographical location linking three continents, while other Islamic countries possess industrial and technological capabilities and a vast human market.
Combining these elements within an integrated framework can create an economic and geopolitical bloc with global influence, capable of negotiating from a position of power, rather than a position of dependency.
This consensus requires moving from the logic of formal cooperation to true integration through several main axes.
The first is economic integration through the establishment of common value chains, and the facilitation of trade and investment, in a way that enhances interdependence and reduces the fragility of individual economies.
The second is technological and knowledge integration through the construction of joint scientific research systems, and the exchange of experiences in the fields of artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and cybersecurity, which has proven to be important in strengthening national sovereignty in the digital age .
The third axis is to build a common regional security system, which is not based on reaction, but on anticipation and strategic coordination, in order to ensure the protection of collective interests without being dragged into conflicts that serve foreign agendas.
Experience has shown that countries that rely excessively on external protection often pay a heavy political and economic cost, and may find themselves alone at the moment of testing.
The most dangerous thing facing Arab and Islamic countries today is not only external threats, but also the absence of a common vision and a unified political will.
History repeats itself when the same mistakes are repeated, most notably fragmentation, internal competition, and dependence on the outside. In a world that is moving towards large blocs, staying outside these systems means gradual decline and loss of influence.
The world today does not wait for the hesitant, but rather rewards those who take the initiative, plan and invest in themselves. Building an integrated Arab-Islamic consensus is not a far-fetched dream, but a realistic project if there is will, vision and leadership.
Ultimately, the most obvious fact remains that power in this era is no longer measured only by the size of the state, but also by its ability to intelligently integrate into a bloc that is better able to invest its resources and make its own decisions.
Those who do not understand this equation today may find themselves out of the equation of history tomorrow.
