Arab Policy of «Zero Problems»: Assessment and Challenges

Additionally, the policy of "zero problems" is not an easy mission and requires a strong political will and effective international cooperation as well as turning this into a public culture among the media and political and influential elites. The Arab countries need to work to enhance trust between them and to strengthen economic, commercial, and cultural ties to foster cooperation and solidarity among them. This requires much time and a lot of effort.

To measure the success of this Arab approach towards the arrangement of the internal house, the endeavors to normalize Arab relationships, whether locally or with regional states such as Iran and Turkey, can be assessed through some factors and indicators as follows:

1- The time range: The continuity of the troubled relationships and the political conflicts among the related states should be monitored to determine the extent of political and economic stability after signing agreements and normalizing relationships.

2- Mutual interests: The achievement of joint goals among the relevant states should be monitored regarding establishing regional stability, economic development, and cultural cooperation.

3- The wide range: The effects caused by the tense relationships among the relevant parties in the past and the impacts resulting from the normalization of relationships must be analyzed on a wide range including the impact on neighboring countries and international relations.

4- Transparency: The extent of transparency in the normalization process and its relevant agreements must be monitored as well as their compatibility with regional and international objectives.

5- The humanitarian issues: The commitment to human rights and basic freedoms has to be monitored in the relevant states in addition to the extent to which the humanitarian situation has improved in countries affected by conflicts and crises.

No doubt that the new developments in the Arab region may enhance the international multipolar policy and affect the US's role in the region. For example, the Arab normalization with Iran may reduce the need for the US in the Middle East. This could lead to more reduction of the American military presence. There are attempts to rebalance power in the region and form new alliances which serve certain interests. Thus, there may be an increasing need to work with other countries, such as Russia and China, to achieve common goals.

The current interactions of the international system map increased the need for the developing and emerging countries to search for new paths and cooperative formulas as well as disengagement from Western unilateral policies. This is what prompts the countries of the Middle East, especially the Arab countries, to reconsider the form of existing and potential alliances, the foremost of which is the alliance with the BRICS countries. 

However, one should pay attention that the US still has an enormous influence in the region and maintains strong relationships with several Arab states. It continues its support of its strategic allies there such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. Consequently, the new developments may have no quick impact on the US's role in the area in the near term. Washington may have to adapt its policy to deal with these shifts to face that.

The latest developments in the Arab region are considered an important turning point. This can lead to the improvement of security and stability in the region in general. With the normalization of the relationships among the Arab Gulf states themselves and between the Arab states and some of their rivals in the Middle East, bigger cooperation may occur in the face of common security challenges. This includes terrorist threats, economic challenges, and agreement on a common approach to resolving crises in Arab conflict countries such as Syria, Yemen, Libya, and finally Sudan. Although some Arab states did not join these efforts that were achieved recently, this transformation is expected to help in reducing political and military tensions in the region.

However, the region still faces big challenges including the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the Syria conflict, and other regional conflicts. It may take a long time to solve these conflicts and achieve full security and stability in the region as some countries may still be exposed to various security threats. Additionally, the change of political conditions in the region may lead to the increase of regional influence of some major states such as Iran and Turkey. This in turn could renew tensions and conflicts, especially if a comprehensive approach to arrange the Arab house is not based on the strategy of exchanging interests and if it does not aim to get the poor states in the region out of the tragic situation in different fields.

Considering these Arab endeavors, the conflict in Sudan emerges as one of the most prominent challenges that may blow up these efforts. Currently, one cannot determine accurately, who is the biggest beneficiary from the explosion of the internal conflict in Sudan. On the contrary, this conflict destroys infrastructure, economy, and security in the state. It has led to the displacement of people and has widened the cycle of violence and chaos. On the other hand, some parties may seek to exploit these developments in the region to enhance their regional and international influence and to maintain the area as a renewable conflict arena to affect long-term policies that touch the future of the Arab region as a whole.

Finally, the latest moves toward reconciliation among the Arab states are encouraging. Several challenges and obstacles need to be addressed including regional leadership competition in the Arab region. If the Arab states continue the road of reconciliation, enhance the "zero problems" approach and work to create a more peaceful and stable region, this will undoubtedly lead to positive effects on the wider region and outside it.