The Arab League’s Secretary General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, recently offered a candid view on pressing regional and global issues during a public event in India. His message was clear: diplomacy over military action.
Regarding the conflict in Gaza, Aboul Gheit defended the Arab states’ decision to back a new US-led “Board of Peace.” He highlighted that previous diplomatic efforts had failed, and past US administrations had vetoed multiple UN ceasefire resolutions. For him, a US President committing to lead a settlement, even amidst skepticism, offered a rare opportunity for peace. While acknowledging unresolved questions about funding, oversight, and the absence of the Palestinian Authority from the executive committee, he stressed the pragmatic need to “try.”
Turning to wider security, Aboul Gheit warned against military action towards Iran, calling it a “disaster for the peace of the world.” He clarified that the long-standing US military presence in the Gulf isn’t new, but the “politics and policies” in Washington have changed.
He also painted a broader picture of global instability, suggesting the world is in a “Cold War” phase and witnessing a decline in the American empire. Aboul Gheit stressed that occupying powers rarely concede demands voluntarily and that new world orders often emerge after significant conflict. He admitted the current situation is “very fluid” and the resolution uncertain.
On a brighter note, Aboul Gheit expressed optimism about India-Arab ties, praising India’s potential and its large workforce in Gulf nations. His visit for the second Arab-India foreign ministers’ meeting underscored the importance of strengthening these bilateral relations.
