33.3.3 Arab League

Establishment and Purpose

Structure and Governance

• The Arab League meets twice yearly through a council of delegates from its member states. It operates on an intergovernmental basis, meaning decisions are made by consensus among member states, and there are no supranational institutions with authority over the member states.
• The League aims to promote collective security among its members, based on the principle that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. However, this principle has proven less effective in addressing internal conflicts within member states.

Limitations and Challenges

• Gulf Wars: The Arab League was unable to offer a unified response during the 1991 and 2003 Gulf Wars, highlighting its limitations in responding to regional crises.
• Arab Uprisings: During the Arab uprisings, the League suspended Libya under Gaddafi but failed to agree on a broader collective response or recovery program for the region. This reflected the League's challenges in coordinating effective regional action during periods of political upheaval.
• Libya Intervention: The Arab League supported air strikes over Libya under UNSCR 1973 but lacked the cohesion to follow through with a unified long-term strategy, demonstrating the difficulties in sustaining collective action.
• Syria: The League suspended Syria in 2013 due to the ongoing civil war but became sidelined in international efforts to broker peace, indicating the limitations of its influence in prolonged and complex conflicts.
• Sectarian Disunity: Increasing Sunni/Shia tensions within the region have exacerbated divisions within the Arab League, making it more challenging to achieve consensus on key issues.
• Shifting Attitudes Towards Israel: Some member states, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan, have started to recognize Israel, further complicating the League's ability to present a unified stance on this historically contentious issue.
• External Influences: The policies of significant powers both within and outside the Arab League have also influenced the bloc's cohesion. Wealthy figures and states with strong trade connections, such as Russia-Syria and UK-Saudi Arabia, often drive policies that may not align with the collective interests of the League.

Conclusion

The Arab League was established to promote political and security cooperation among Arab states, aiming for regional peace and stability. However, its effectiveness has been limited by internal disunity, particularly in times of crisis such as the Gulf Wars, Arab uprisings, and the Syrian civil war. The increasing sectarian tensions, shifting attitudes towards Israel, and external influences have further complicated the League's ability to act as a cohesive regional body. Despite its aims for collective security, the Arab League often struggles to present a unified front in international affairs, limiting its impact on resolving regional conflicts.