Moreover, the Arab states’ main tool of influence – investing money – faces major obstacles and yields only limited returns. None of these issues is a top national security concern for the Gulf Arab states that have pushed for normalising relations, but together they are important enough to warrant a rethink. The Arab League itself is largely impotent in managing regional affairs, due mainly to its deep internal divisions. (Arab states were divided even over the decision to readmit Syria, but not to the point that the dissenters used their veto power.) Western sanctions limit potential economic gains, and U.S. sanctions in particular impose major legal barriers and political costs.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 29, 2023 13:28 UTC